Dealto El Primero Rioja 2019
- Textured, savoury
- Rioja
From the hot plains of the Rioja Oriental comes this powerful treasure. The artisans at deAlto are honoring the region’s incredible grenache growths (or, garnacha if you’re wanting to go full Español). There’s a touch of Rioja’s iconic tempranillo in here too, to give it a plush body with rounded edges. With all vineyards hugging the Ebro river, this is not just about jammy fruits- in fact it’s enormously elegant thanks to the lifted red fruits and structure that will hold tight for many years to come. 100% old French oak makes this a rare taste for the region, focusing on those finer expressions of spice and some slight vanilla. Succulent and desireable, this is an impressive wine ready to be enjoyed.
Profile
Reviews
The Wine Front
“Cherry, red berries, thyme, pine and dried mint, nutty too, with some toasted coconut and spice. Good flavour, all berries and wild herb, loose knit chamois-like tannin, some vanilla too, and a toasty and fresh finish of good length.”
It’s cool, we get it, you want to know absolutely everything about this wine. Well here you go, go nuts.
Specs
- Region
- Rioja
- Vintage
- 2019
- Cellaring
- 2028
- Preservatives
- Sulphites
- Alcohol by Vol.
- 13.5%
- Closure
- Cork
- Bottle Vol
- 750mL
- Blend Info
- 80% Grenache, 20% Tempranillo
- Serving Temp.
- 14°C
Region
Rioja
Rioja! The homeland of Tempranillo! Tempranillo may be relatively new on the scene in Australia, but it's as widespread in Spain as Shiraz is in Australia. Rioja have strict regulations on wines classified by the region, and require the wine to be certain lengths of time in barrel and then in bottle, and allows the producer to classify based on these restrictions as: Joven (none to limited oak contact), Crianza (intermediate oak and bottle age) and Reserva (extended oak/bottle aging). The time spent in oak is generally judged based on fruit intensity, but the one thing you will find is that quality is pretty impressive across the board, from crunchy young Joven to luscious Crianza to blockbuster Reserva. Welcome to the vinous heartland of Spain. It smells and tastes amazing.