RiojaVinaAlbinaGranReserva2004

Sarah Jane Evans MW: Gloriously mature fruit profile, giving a fine autumnal feeling, with neat darts of acidity. Red fruits, vanilla and cumin, and a long, elegant finish. Made for enjoyment over many years.

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja

Grapes: Tempranillo (80%), Mazuelo (15%) and Graciano (5%).

Food Match:

Great on it’s own everyday drinking or with grilled red meats and hearty sausage or lentil casseroles.

The 2004 vintage, classified as “Excellentâ€?by the Regulatory Council of the Riojadenomination of origin, was one of the Rioja’s historic vintages.

The abundant rainfall, snow and absence of frost during the winter allowed for a goodfruit set. The weather was ideal along the entire vegetative cycle of the vine, especiallyfrom mid-September on through to the end of the harvest.

The wines obtained of this vintage have offered the best quality parameters in recentyears.

Made with destemmed grapes following a long maceration. In 2004, the wine makingincorporated micro-oxygenation processes with which from the very first phases of thewinemaking it was possible to improve the work of the yeasts, avoid reductions andstabilize the colour. Micro-oxygenation was also used between alcoholic and malolaticfermentations in order to stabilize the colour. Aged for 36 months in second-useAmerican oak barrels and further 36 months in the bottle prior to market release.