A single-site Rioja made in a stunningly fruit-forward style with supporting oak influences, this internationally acclaimed wine is set to become a massive favourite round here too! It is the bigger sibling of the lovely El Primero from neighbouring vineyards.
Flavours of red and black cherry, redcurrant, sweet spices and liquorice are delivered on a moreish, broad and generous palate that is held wonderfully in balance by the natural levels of acidity that the old vines are able to yield. It is a long and delicious, brooding and complex wine.
Made from 100% old vines Garnacha, aged for a year in a mix of old and new French barrels, this wine will age fantastically but has the energy and presence for enjoying in its youth and to make you look at Rioja (and Grenache) with fresh, loving eyes.
If you think that this is made like a Reserva, but opts-out of the category and has come from ancient vines in one parcel, you're getting incredible value for money to boot.
It is seriously worth every penny. It is the best of the single-vineyard Riojas we have had for a very long time and is certainly one of the most easy to approach.
The magic plant that is La Planta Magica, is actually mistletoe, which grows wild in the trees that surround the vineyards from with the grapes come to make this wine. It is situated near the town of Aldeanueva in the new subzone of Rioja Oriental.
The vines yield very small quantities of perfectly-balanced, tiny grapes with incredible ripeness and acid levels.
The grapes are analysed to the nth degree and are hand-picked into really small 12kg baskets, which protects the bunches from splitting before they get to the winery. Fermentation is carried-out in shallow, 5-ton open-top tanks, with 25% whole bunches first and then crushed fruit after.
A cold-soak maceration of 5 days (with temperature control to hold off fermentation) gets extra juice to skin contact and colour extraction before the temperature is increased, allowing spontaneous fermentation to begin. Then the wine is aged for 12 months in a mixture of new and old, 225 and 500 litre French barrels. Really wonderful, low-intervention winemaking.
Appealingly fresh and floral for a Garnacha, this is a sappy, juicy, wild yeast-fermented red from a single parcel of bush-vine grapes in Aldeanueva de Ebro. With the emphasis on flavour rather than oak, this is spicy and appealing with raspberry, cherry and wild strawberry fruit and zesty acidity. 2022-25 - Tim Atkin, Rioja Report
94 Points, Decanter
This is made by two very special Allotment friends, Celbridge native Fergal Tynan (who is probably Kildare's only Master of Wine) and his chum Giles Cooke (another Master of Wine). They run several winemaking projects around the world, mostly with the aim to promote as much Grenache as the world can provide, in Australia, France and Spain.
This is a particularly lovely project - de Alto Amo literally meaning "High Master" - or "High Love" - and is a reference to the search for the highest quality and highest altitude vineyard sites that the winery can access.
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Grape(s): Tempranillo
Style: Vibrant, Svelte, Structured, Smooth, Silky, Round, Rich, Profound, Organic, Mineral, Medium Full, Juicy, Fruity, Fresh, Fleshy, Elegant, Dark, Complex, Bright, Balanced
Best food matches: Venison, Tapas, Steak, St Stephen's Day, Spicy, Sausages, Roasts, Ribs, Red Meats, Poultry, Pork, Pizza, Pasta, Mature Cheeses, Lamb, Hard Cheeses, Grills, Grilled Vegetables, Game, Fine Dining, Duck, Christmas Dinner, Cheeses, Charcuterie, Casseroles, Beef, Barbecue
Alcohol: 14.5%
