Spain contains the largest number of vineyards in the world, but only the third largest in wine production. This is mostly due to the very low yields and the wide spacing of the vines, which cause the vineyards to cover large amounts of ground. Right now, Rioja is one of Spain’s most popular territories with its famous Tempranillo grape. For the white wine lover, check out the Rias Baixas region, with its famed Abarino grape.
Bodegas Alto Moncayo Aquilon Garnacha is made from 100% Garnacha.
The wines of Alto Moncayo are crafted to express the unique terroir of windswept high elevation Campo de Borja DO; and to serve as a benchmark for world class Old Vine Garnacha.
Aquilón is "The jewel in the Crown" a selection of the best barrels from the best lots. The vines are 60-100 years old.
Review:
This garnet-colored wine offers aromas of black currant, black raspberry and black licorice, with just a touch of charcuterie. The fruit flavors shine through with subtle notes of crushed violet. It has soft tannic structure, with a pleasant bit of grippiness in the post palate as it leads up to the long, long, finish.
-Wine Enthusiast 95 Points
About the Vineyard
Vineyards in Tabuenca and Borja, planted with indegenous clones of Garnacha starting in the 1920s.
Wine Production
The selected highest quality grapes are placed into small stainless-steel tanks of 7 tons capacity. The must is basket pressed and fermentation is finished in new French and American oak where it complets the malolactic fermentation. Wine is aged in the barrels for 24 months before bottling.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Very deep red, scarlet rim
Aroma: Minerals and vanilla. Hints of raisins and dark Chocolate
Palate: As typical of the vintage, power and intensity with disarming elegance.
Food Pairing:
Goes well with beef, pork, game based stews and rice dishes.
Intense ruby color of high layer with garnet edge, clean and shiny. Intense nose that, from the beginning, transmits complexity, penetrating, with aromas of black fruits, blueberries and currants, undergrowth, roasted memories, toffee, coffee powder, liquorice, cloves, vanilla and lebanese cedar. Mouth with freshness and balance, with tannins ripe and creamy, which highlight its elegance, with a step harmonious and intense. Long and pleasant aftertaste, with a great variety of balsamic and spicy memories.
Review:
The old-vine component of the El Otero parcel, running to around seven hectares, supplies the fruit for this ageworthy Tinto Fino. After a frost-induced break in 2017, it's back with interest in 2018. Aged in new French oak, but not dominated by the wood, it's a finely judged red from Julio Sáenz with notes of blackberry and tangerine, filigree tannins and a long, textured finish. 2023-33
-Tim Atkin 96 Points
-
Deep cherry red in color with a garnet rim. On the nose, it is intense and elegant, with a base of ripe fruits that blends with the subtle tertiary aromas of sweet spices and cocoa. On the palate, it is balanced, full-bodied but with sweet and pleasant tannins, with a long and very persistent aftertaste.
Review:
All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
Burgo Viejo Rioja Crianza is made from 90% Tempranillo & 10% Graciano.
Red ruby colored wine with violet tones; well-balanced, black fruit, vanilla and coconut flavors. Powerful, complex and silky smooth...classic old style Rioja at a bargain price.
The grapes here are coming from a 2-hectare single vineyard, grown organically, with a distinctive stony soil (it is an old quarry).
Looking for the highest harmony with the Environment we have made this red cherry wine with violet shades, structured and fruity. Blackberry and subtle spice. Structured, fullbodied but with smooth tannins.
destemming and light crushing of the grapes.
Fermentation at controlled temperature in stainless steel tanks.
Malolactic fermentation in concrete tanks.
Aged 3 months on the lees with frequent batonnage. (stirring of the lees)
Red meat, pasta dishes, Spanish tapas, medium matured cheeses.
Lismore Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir
Complex bouquet of crushed rose petals, wild jasmine and fresh French herbs followed by a palate full of cranberry, raspberry and a long savory finish.
The grapes were picked at optimal ripeness. 30% whole bunch fermented in large 5000 liter vats with gentle pump-overs twice a day. The process allowed for a long extraction period which lends to the fruit expression and structure of this wine. The free run wine was drained off and the fermented grapes were then pressed in a traditional wooden basket press. The wine was racked into 225, 300 and 500 liter barrels where malolactic fermentation took place and the wine was aged for 10 months. 35% new French oak was used.
Review:
"The 2018 Pinot Noir comes from Walker Bay and Kaaimansgat and includes 30% whole-bunch fruit, aged for 11 months in 25% new oak. The bouquet sports vivid red cherry and raspberry fruit that is exceptionally well defined and beautifully integrated with the oak. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, well-judged acidity and a slightly fleshy texture. There is just the right amount of salinity here, and the finish is kept on a tight leash, allowing the detail and precision to be fully expressed. A slight sour edge on the finish keeps you coming back for another sip. Excellent and reassuringly classy. - Neal Martin" - Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2019), 92 pts
"Walker Bay and Elandskloof are the twin sources of 30% whole bunch-fermented Pinot from Sam O'Keefe. Juicy, floral and charming, it's a graceful, fruit forward style with some clove and tobacco spice and refreshing acidity. The finish is a little firmer than I remember. 2020-24"- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2020 Special Report), 92 pts
Oumsiyat Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon.
Classic Cabernet Sauvignon with Dark Berries Dominance mixed with tobacco and chocolate aromas. Concentrated tannins, balanced with good acidity and persistence finish.
RS: 2g/L
The fruit was carefully sorted to ensure only healthy, ripe grapes were vinified. Traditional fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures of 28°C, with remontage or pump overs took place periodically to oxygenate the wine and extract tannins. Pigeage or punching down of the cap also took place. A long post-fermentation maceration took place to extract color, flavor and impart structure to the wine. The wine was gently filtered prior to bottling.