2015 Alegre Valganon Rioja Tinto Spain Red

2015 Alegre Valganon Rioja Tinto

93 JG

Featured Review

(Rioja Tinto- Alegre Valgañón) The 2015 Rioja from Alegre Valgañón is only the fifth vintage for the husband and wife team of Oscar Alegre and Eva Valgañón, who produce a small number of cases from the three hectares of vines that they farm in the far western end of the Rioja region. Or sort of their fifth vintage, as they made and bottled a bit of wine in their inaugural vintage of 2010, then lost both 2011 and 2012 when the cellars where their tanks were stored in were inadvertently blended in with the wines from the winery where they were storing their tanks. They did not bottle anything in the difficult vintage of 2013 and 2014 was their first to get rolling again after the small quantity of 2010 that they bottled. Their vineyards sit at an altitude of 580 meters above sea level and this is one of the coolest corners of Rioja, with their blended Rioja made from a blend of seventy-five percent tempranillo and twenty-five percent garnacha. The wines are aged quite uniquely for Rioja, in older French barriques and demi-muids, as the couple wishes to make wines in the classic manner that predates the arrival of the French winemakers to Rioja in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Their 2015 Tinto is excellent, offering up a deep and complex nose of black cherries, Rioja spice tones, a bit of espresso, a fine base of soil, cigar smoke and a touch of cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and moderately tannic today, with an excellent core, fine tangy acids and excellent focus and grip on the nascently complex finish. This is approachable today, but is really built to cellar and will not properly blossom without five or six years of bottle age. It is an excellent wine from an exciting new winemaking couple in the firmament of old school Rioja. (Drink between 2022-2050) John Gilman

Cellar Tracker | 93 JG

The red 2015 Tinto, from a very warm and ripe vintage, is a blend of Tempranillo from Fonzaleche, Villalba and Sajazarra with 20% Garnacha from Cárdenas and Tudelilla, fermented with some 15% of the stems and indigenous yeasts. It matured in the fermentation vessels and a combination of 225- and 500-liter oak barrels. It's a classical, old-style, traditional young Rioja with ripe fruit, some herbal twists and some herbal rusticity on the palate, with dusty tannins and a combination of fruit and earthy notes. 14,000 bottles produced.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 91 RP

Deep red. Oak-spiced cherry, blackberry and vanilla aromas, along with hints of mocha and woodsmoke. Smooth, sweet and supple in texture, offering nicely concentrated dark fruit and spicecake flavors and a building floral pastille note. Clings with very good tenacity on the gently tannic finish, leaving cherry pit and bitter chocolate notes behind.

Vinous Media | 90 VM

Type of Wine	Spain Red : Spanish wines shouldn't be overlooked under any circumstances, as there are plenty of extraordinary wines coming from this country. There are also lots of grape varietals grown all over Spain. Some of the most gorgeous red varieties are the early-harvested Tempranillo, raspberry-flavored Garnacha, Bobal, Monastrell, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot.
Varietal	Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.
Country	Spain : Grapevines have been cultivated on the Iberian Peninsula for thousands of years, making Spain one of the oldest wine producing countries on earth. With nearly 1 million hectares under vine, Spain is in possession of more grapevines that any other nation in the world. Today, vineyard cultivation takes place in virtually every administrative district, making it a leading producer on today’s market. Spain’s vineyards generate an annual wine output of 40.7 million hectoliters, ranking it third in the world behind only France and Italy. Spain is a land of breathtaking beauty, diverse topography, complex cultures and a time honored tradition of viticulture. The country’s broad geographical values play a major role in defining the many wine styles produced. From the cool climes of Galicia and the snow-capped Pyrenees to arid Andalucía in the south, and every region in between the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, Spain boasts one of the most diverse terroirs in the world. The country’s myriad of soils and complex climate systems creates an expansive planting ground for a multitude of varietals. Tempranillo has long played an instrumental role in Spanish winemaking. It is important to note that of the 236,000 hectares being cultivated world-wide, 202,000 are planted in Spain. It is commonly utilized in the production of still red wines from Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro and has taken the world by storm. In the past few decades, wines produced in Rioja have been some of the most popular, and in 2017, wines with a “Rioja” label were the most purchased on the wine market. Bodegas Vega Sicilia, located in Ribera del Duero in northern Spain has been one of the most sought after producers hailing from Spain, and Tinta de Toro (otherwise known as Tempranillo everywhere else) has certainly placed its mark on the region and the world. Spain is also renowned for its production of sweet, raisened Moscatel, fortified Madeira, sparkling Cava and its rising, but shining star, Albarino, which hails from the Rias Baixas appellation of Galicia. Some of the most recognizable names in the world of wine hail from Spain. In the past few decades there has been a collision of New and Old World winemaking; one which has greatly contributed to the continued success of the Spanish wine industry. Modernization of vineyards, facilities and viticulture has greatly improved the significance of Spain in the wine market. Syrah and Merlot have taken root in Spanish wine regions and combined with the indigenous Garnacha (Grenache) Garnacha Blanca (Grenache Blanc), Godello and many others, the country has not only adapted to new styles of winemaking but also the ever changing palate of consumers.
Region	Rioja : Rioja is a Spanish wine region with a lot of tradition behind it, and it's famous as one of Spain's most famous communes when it comes to raw viticultural mastery and dedication. Their reds harness the magnificent potential of grape varietals such as Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha Tinta, and Maturana, whereas the whites are created from mixtures including Garnacha Blanca, Viura, Tempranillo Blanco and Malvasia. With a combination of such powerhouses, it's no wonder that their wines are in high demand among experienced and knowledgeable collectors. A sampling speaks countless words about the flavor bouquet and structure of these masterpieces. Expect to encounter beautiful floral spice notes and a juicy, syrupy combination of fruit that leaves your mouth watering and your tastebuds screaming for more. Cinnamon and tobacco give the wines an intense, sharp approach, rounding out the experience and leaving the bottles balanced and elegant. It's truly a complete experience for your mouth, and the perfume lingers long after you've finished drinking, extending that period of enjoyment all wine enthusiasts are almost addicted to. If you're in the mood for a classic Rioja as soon as possible, or you simply wish to enhance your collection with luxurious and prestigious bottles, we have your needs covered.