Cuentaviñas Rioja - Alomado 2020

Alomado refers to the rolling hills or "lomas" that mark the landscape of the Sonsierra Riojana, considered by many to the finest terroir in Rioja for cultivating Tempranillo due to the Atlantic weather, high altitude, and limestone rich soils. Alomado is Eduardo and Carlota's most Atlantic and accessible interpretation of a field blend planted on the Ábalos side of San Vicente de la Sonsierra.

Alomado is a field blend of roughly 80% Tempranillo, 10% Viura, 6% Malvasía, 4% Calagraño. Vines planted in 1960.

Practicing organic traditional viticulture. High density trellised field blend located on south-west facing mountain slopes. Due to the small size of the project, all viticultural duties including pruning, leaf pulling, plowing by horse, selecting cover crops, and digging soil pits are all carried out by Eduardo.

Aged for 18 months in 500-litre barrels and 3 months in bottle in an 18th-century underground cave. 

"A very lively, vibrant Rioja that delivers a bit of white pepper and fresh herbs to the aromas of racy strawberries and grapefruit. Juicy, agile and bright on the palate with a medium body. Silky and quite drinkable." - 95 points, James Suckling

"The younger 2020 Alomado comes from two vineyards now, the original Ribarrey and also Finca Sacramento, where he has Viura that was planted in 1960 and Tempranillo from 1985 on colluvial soils. The fermentation and élevage is similar to the other wines and the 2019 vintage I also tasted—co-fermented, finishing with selected yeasts and 16 months in 500-liter barrels. Volumes have grown (to 7,946 bottles), but so has quality." - 93 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Cuentaviñas is an impressive new project that is making wines that are all about finesse and delicacy. Can't speak highly enough about this wine. Tasted in September 2023.

Producer: Cuentaviñas

Country: Spain

Region: La Rioja

Varietal: Tempranillo, Viura, Malvasia, Calagraño

Appellation: Rioja

Vintage: 2020

Size: 750ml