Spanish wines
2016 Alaya Tierra is One of Our Favorite Wines for the Last Twelve Years
The 2016 Alaya Tierra is a HUGH, powerful and deep colored red wine. It is produced by Bodegas Atalaya and comes from the Almansa region of Spain in the southeastern portion.
The wine is made from 100% old-vine Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet) and comes in at 16% alcohol. Garnacha Tintorera grapes, both the skin and flesh are predominantly a violet radiant color. The old vineyards of Garnacha Tintorera, being 50+ years old, are located at 1,000 meters producing low yields and small berries. The wine is aged 15 months in mostly French oak with a few being American oak barrels all being 100% new.
First on the eyes with the dark skin produces a cavernous dark brooding quality, void of color. On the nose a range of bouquets with black fruits of prunes and dates bursting forth from the glass. On the palate this unique wine lays out to the imbiber flint, faint charred toasted oak, spices, dark chocolate and a brushy earthen quality. Secondary flavors include black cherry, blackberry and licorice. At the finish, this powerful and bold wine is balanced with a velvety texture with strong but not sharp tannins being present. It finishes with a modicum of sweetness which is welcomed from such strong wine.
This wine typically goes for between $40 to $45/bottle and is always stocked in cellar. We enjoy heavy, bold and big wines with or without food. Food pairings include grilled or roasted meats (tri tip, flank steak, carne asada), barbequed beef and smoked sausages and hard cheeses.
If you enjoy hearty and robust red wines, pick up a bottle of Alaya Tierra and you will be surprised.
Sláinte,
Michael
2020 Viña Alberdi Rioja Reserva by La Rioja Alta
Photo from La Rioja Alta
Background
Having just moved to Arizona and all our wines in several storage lockers in Scottsdale, ventured to the local Total Wines to browse and pick up a few bottles of wine until the wine refrigerators were delivered to the house. Picked up several different and unusual wines. This wine, which I was familiar with, is from La Rioja Alta Winery.
The Winery
The winery is in the northern and eastern portion of Spain, not too far from France. The elevation of the winery is between 1500 to 1800 feet. The 100% Tempranillo grapes were from the vineyards of Rodezno and Alto del Rey in Labastida. The vineyards are located on clay-limestone soils and were planted 40 years ago.
The winery is based in Haro, La Rioja and was founded in 1890. La Rioja Alta makes several other premier wines such as their Gran Reserva being 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano. Another Gran Reserva adds a small amount of Mazuelo. Another wine produced by them is Viña Ardanza which is lighter and blended with Graciano and Mazuelo. The winery currently has 425 hectares of vineyards or about 1,050 acres.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The 2020 Viña Alberdi Rioja Reserva by La Rioja Alta is an exceptional, 100% Tempranillo wine. The wine was on the lighter side but more than robust enough to whisk one back to Spain.
On the eyes a deep garnet coloring, bright and clean, with medium heavy viscosity. On the nose luscious red fruits of strawberry and raspberry arise to greet the imbiber. On the palate, for such a young Rioja, complexity and layers of enjoyment, with both a smokiness and hint of vanilla, typically found in older versions. Secondary flavors of cedar and cinnamon abound. The finish was mid-length with a subtle and reserve sweetness, with silky and mellow tannins.
The wine was aged two years on American oak barrels. This wine came in at 14% alcohol and from memory was around $21/bottle. A very good bargain for a Rioja of character.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This evening we had a Spanish chicken breast seasoned with garlic, brown sugar, chipotle pepper, onion and sea salt. This provided a tasty treat this evening. Accompanied by baby asparagus, small red seasoned and roasted potatoes and garlic French bread. While still eating with our folding table and chairs awaiting new dining room furniture to arrive, a most enjoyable meal.
One of the few pairings we have tried with red wine with chicken, yet it paired wonderfully.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly