Aalto - Ribera del Duero Tinto 2021

Mariano Garcia founded Bodegas Aalto in 1999, after 30 years as technical director and world–renown winemaker for Vega Sicilia. From the beginning he has been guided by three principals: old-vine or massale selection Tinto Fino, a wide range of terroirs spread over nine villages in the province of Burgos, and his vast experience in viticulture and winemaking. Bodegas Aalto controls and farms 110 hectares of vines. Twenty hectares are a young vines (a massale selection from their best old-vine material) while the remaining 90 hectares are from 40 to 100 years old. The soils where their vineyards are situated vary from stony red clay to free-draining and limestone rich sands. The combination of the two provides both structure and a purity of fruit to the final wines.

The primary wine, known simply as Aalto Ribera del Duero, comes from vines ranging in age from 40–80 years old supplemented with younger vine fruit about 15 years old. It is aged 18 months in French (85%) and American (15%) oak, with half of the barrels new. It is a voluminous Ribera del Duero showing Mariano’s deft hand at capturing both the power and grace of a variety, Tinto Fino, that tends towards rusticity in the hot climate of this region.

"The 2021 Aalto is a 100% Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero and was aged for up to two years in French and American barrels. Garnet-red with a purple sheen. Cedar and vanilla lead the nose, followed by blackcurrant, blackberry and subtle herbal notes in the background. The palate is indulgent and creamy, with a classic 'reserva' profile but distinctively light on its feet for a Ribera del Duero wine. The 2021 Aalto is a long-lasting, juicy, subtly chalky red." - 94 points, Vinous

"The eponymous red 2021 Aalto has a lactic touch and is spicy, smoky and ripe, with notes of barbecued duck, soy sauce and a touch of truffle. It's heady, ripe (14.5% alcohol), has a luxurious mouthfeel and is glossy and juicy, with abundant but fine-grained tannins and low-ish acidity. For fans of the style. Quite consistent across vintages." - 94 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"Aalto was established in 1999 by Mariano Garcia, winemaker for 30 years at Vega Sicilia. His philosophy was minimal intervention and maximum expression of the vineyard. For this wine, grapes are harvested from vines up to 80 years old, all organically farmed, from nine villages, low yields giving intensity and concentration. Seventeen months in French and American oak ensure a wine for the long haul. Beth Willard: Seductively fruity nose with flinty, stony character, even a touch of blood orange. Deep and concentrated with a lot of oak and acidity, but in balance. David Williams: Prominent oak, but high quality and integrated with the high-toned, ripe fruit. Savoury and engaging with satisfying richness and texture, with a long finish. Diana Rollan: Elegant and balanced with red berry notes of cranberry and raspberry, a touch of vanilla and dark chocolate. An appealing, polished style that keeps on giving: superb." - 95 points, Decanter

Producer: Alto

Country: Spain

Region: Castilla y León

Varietal: Tempranillo

Appellation: Ribera del Duero

Vintage: 2021

Size: 750ml