Aalto Ribera del Duero 2021

Aalto was established in 1999 by Mariano Garcia, winemaker for 30 years at Vega Sicilia. His philosophy was minimal intervention and maximum expression of the vineyard. For this wine, grapes are harvested from vines up to 80 years old, all organically farmed, from nine villages, low yields giving intensity and concentration. Seventeen months in French and American oak ensure a wine for the long haul. Beth Willard: Seductively fruity nose with flinty, stony character, even a touch of blood orange. Deep and concentrated with a lot of oak and acidity, but in balance. David Williams: Prominent oak, but high quality and integrated with the high-toned, ripe fruit. Savoury and engaging with satisfying richness and texture, with a long finish. Diana Rollan: Elegant and balanced with red berry notes of cranberry and raspberry, a touch of vani

The nose of the red 2020 Aalto comes blasting with tons of toasted oak, spice, smoke and more toast, ripe berries and a luxurious creaminess like the finest modern wines from the turn of the century. This is predictable but exactly what their customers are looking for, with ripe berries, generous oak and a velvety palate with volume, soft tannins and mellow acidity. It matured in French and American oak barrels for 18 months. 2023 - 2028.

The 2021 Aalto is a 100% Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero and was aged for up to two years in French and American barrels. Garnet-red with a purple sheen. Cedar and vanilla lead the nose, followed by blackcurrant, blackberry and subtle herbal notes in the background. The palate is indulgent and creamy, with a classic 'reserva' profile but distinctively light on its feet for a Ribera del Duero wine. The 2021 Aalto is a long-lasting, juicy, subtly chalky red.

Fine spice and vanilla to the blackberries, mussels, sandalwood, minerals, black walnuts and dark chocolate. Quite well-judged and balanced on the palate, showing a mid-palate that is about freshness, fruit and fluidity, together with tight, nicely grippy tannins. Juicy, chewy and long.