As a relatively ‘young’ Rioja winery, Bodegas Altanza have been making their mark in the region by merging modernity and tradition. Their phenomenally balanced wines are immediately captivating; I’m saying that from experience. I first tasted their wines on one particular 40 degree day in Rioja, and although you might imagine that’s not the time for full bodied red wine, right at that moment nothing else felt more appropriate.
The wondrous complexity of aged Rioja is pure magic in a glass. It’s deep, opulent and wildly evocative all at once. This ‘gran reserva’ has had the benefit of extended ageing before release, making sure all its components are perfectly integrated and beautifully assembled the moment it hits the glass. Like a Christmas fruitcake, there’s compact, dried fruity flavour, enriched with winter spices and no-holds-barred brandy infusion. There’s more, too. Chocolate, allspice, tobacco, cured meats... anyone else getting hungry or is it just us?
