$66.50
Altos R Pigeage
A new import by Wineseeker.
This flagship cuvée of Altos has won 15 Golds and 96 points just for the 2014, plus an amazing 94 points from James Suckling. Only made in 5-Star vintages, using very old vine Tempranillo and aged in new French oak, it’s a serious, modern Rioja. A blend of Tempranillo and Graciano.
Jean-Marc Sauboua (a Haut-Brion trained head winemaker) bought Altos in 2002 and has won over 120 Golds, plus many high scores from critics. He works with Hector Gomez in the cellar, whose CV includes experience at Napa’s Château Montelena, Contino in Rioja and Villacreces in Ribera del Duero.
They made this wine from old vine (80+ years) Tempranillo and vinified it using Burgundy’s pigeage method. This involves fermenting in open vats and plunging the skins into the liquid three times a day – hands-on winemaking that delivers great results. Barrel aged for 15 months in new French (80%) and American oak and bottled without filtration, the wine offers intense black fruits with vanilla oak complexity and minerality. Lovely with roast lamb.
Reviews
Region
- Spain
- Spain - Rioja
Style
- Red Wine
Varietal
- Tempranillo
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Shipping Option | Per Box | Cost |
Pick up in store | All | Free |
Ship to: Local Wellington Region (*) | All | Free(**) |
Ship to: Rest of New Zealand | Up to 12 bottles | $6.00 |
Ship to: Rural Deliveries | Up to 12 bottles | Add + $4.50 |
Ship to: Waiheke Island | Up to 12 bottles | Add + $12.00 |
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James Suckling - 94 pointsDark plum and cherry fruit with toasty mocha and spice. Dense and intense core. Powerful and preciseWine Enthusiast - 92 PointsCreamy, heady aromas of vanilla, raisin and prune are at the fully ripe end of the spectrum, while this is chewy and dense on the palate. Similar to the nose, prune and cassis flavors push acceptable ripeness to the brink, while this remains saturated and full on the finish. Drink through 2025International Wine Challenge - Silver MedalGlossy with ripe black fruit, coffee with floral lift. A lot of tannin but will integrate with time. Decant for now!