Vina Alberdi 2008

I tasted two vintages of the only pure Tempranillo wine they produce. The 2008 Viña Alberdi comes from their vineyards in Rodezno and Labastida and matured in American oak barrels for two years, the first year in new barrels and the second year in used ones. The nose is very classical, with notes of beef blood, leather and spices and more fruit than its siblings. The oak is perfectly integrated despite having some new wood (they have to use the new barrels somewhere). It develops aniseed aromas with time in the glass. The palate is soft and polished, has good acidity and freshness through to a very tasty finish. This is sold in the export markets as a Reserva and in Spain mostly as Crianza, but it's a very classical Rioja at a very good price.

Score: 91

Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2023 01 April 2015