deAlto, Aurkitu, Garnacha Viñas Viejas, Baja Montaña, 2019

deAlto Rioja y Más pays tribute to our long standing love for all things Spanish:

The food, the people and of course the wine… Master of Wine Giles Cooke, has led our winemaking team to craft a range that illustrates the brilliant potential of Rioja, Navarra and La Mancha as well as the quality of fruit that these regions can deliver when respectful, sustainable techniques are maintained. Drawing on the revered, in-depth knowledge of Paul Shinnie and the technical skills of Marta Juega Rivera, these wines offer a tantalising taste of contemporary Spain. Over a decade’s worth of dedication, travel and experimentation have culminated in the creation of deAlto Rioja y Más, which joins the family of Alliance-owned wineries, Thistledown Wines in Australia and Terres Fidèles in France. Responding to the need for a more sustainable future, our wineries harness the best vineyards to produce wines that are connected by a similar spirit of adventure, experimentation, creativity and commitment to sustainable wine production.

WINEMAKING 

Hand-picked and vinified using selected wild ferment and whole bunch parcels, the musts are handled gently to avoid over-extraction and retain fruit. Post primary fermentation, the wine is pressed to predominantly older oak in order to preserve the wild, energetic fruit profile that defines this region.

TASTING NOTES

Wonderfully intense, with bright red fruits, hints of spice and beautiful texture. There is a coolness to the fruit set against the irrepressible generosity of Grenache.

FOOD PAIRING

Lamb or goat seem the most appropriate and the brisk, energetic style of the wine works well with the unctuous, sweet meat. Also char grilled veg and meat.

AWARDS

Jancis Robinson 16 Points
"100% Garnacha at 500–625 m elevation, south facing. Night harvest, stainless-steel fermentation, aged in oak barrels. Production: 22,000 bottles. Baja Montaña. Fruit-driven wine, sweet red fruit and candies. Easy drinking with the energy of youth. Elegant and precise with earthy flavours on the back palate that make think of … Pinot Noir!" 16 Points, FC, June 2021.