Bodegas Altanza Altanza Rioja Reserva 2015

Description

Bodegas Altanza Altanza Rioja Reserva has been one of my go-to wines for a number of years. It used to be labelled Bodegas Altanza’s Lealtanza Reserva Rioja and this 2015 vintage is as spectacular as ever! There is so much Rioja on the UK market and much of it over-priced, over-oaked and rather characterless in style. Altanza Rioja Reserva 2015 is not such a wine; this comes from a new breed of producers combining modern technologies and traditional methods to get the best out of the Tempranillo grape. The result is a classic Rioja – with a modern feel.

In summary Bodegas Altanza Altanza Rioja Reserva 2015 displays aromatics, succulent fruit and spice flavours, good balance and easy tannins. Bodegas Altanza do not blend Tempranillo with other grapes in their Altanza Reserva – it is a relatively rare 100% Tempranillo – and they age the wine in French rather than American oak as they believe it produces a more elegant wine and does not mask the fruit aromas of the grapes. This is great value for a top quality, classic-style Rioja. Despite 18 months in oak barrels and three months in oak vats (note – 12 months in oak and a minimum 36 months total ageing is required for Reserva status up to the 2019 vintage), the fruit is not overpowered by intense vanilla like some Riojas. Instead it is a really fruit-driven wine with subtle sweet spices. On the nose, Altanza Rioja Reserva 2015 shows raspberries, blackberries, ripe plums, cloves and white pepper and the complex palate includes sweet black fruit – cherries, blackberries – plus raspberries, plums, sweet spices and a subtle hint of chocolate and leather. The tannins are really smooth; the wine has a lovely, velvety texture and a long, slightly sweet, fruity finish, characteristic of Rioja.

My updated blogpost on Rioja classifications is coming soon. For a more intense and equally elegant Rioja, try Granja Remelluri Rioja Gran Reserva.