Why Rachele Loves It

Spain is a country that I always enjoy visiting, and last year I had the opportunity to spend some time in the beautiful region of Ribera del Duero.

The area, both intensely hot and dry, looks like a forgotten land. With vineyards planted everywhere, interspersed with tiny villages spread far apart from one another, it feels like stepping into another time. The Tinto Fino (better known as Tempranillo) grape is a variety well-suited to the terroir. Indeed, its ability to adapt to the extreme temperature of the region has led to stunningly successful wines. 

Traditional winemakers in Ribera del Duero, such as Aalto, harness the power of their old vines to make special wines that feel able to transport you right to the heart of this storied wine region. 

The primary vines used in this Tempranillo are between forty and eighty years old, and harvested from nine different villages in the provinces of Burgos and Valladolid. These hardy vines yield grapes with intense flavours and complexity.

The harvest is completed by hand, in small fifteen kilogram boxes that are thoroughly inspected, bunch by bunch, on the selection table. 

Acidity is retained despite the extreme heat thanks to lower night temperatures. And the tannins are perfectly in balance as a result of the eighteen months spent maturing in both French and American oak barrels.