93 points Tim Atkin MW, 92 points Guia Peñin
From the Vallondo Estate, a vineyard that bore witness to the rise of Garnacha vines in Rioja Alavesa half a century ago. Since surpassed by Tempranillo, this wine represents a nostalgia of the old Garnacha vines that once dominated this area. This is what Jon Cañas calls an ‘Atlantic Garnacha,’ he interprets the Vallondo vineyard to make known the wild freshness of this variety.
This engagingly perfumed Rioja Alavesa Garnacha comes from the 63-year-old Vallondo vineyard in Villabuena de Álava. Totally unwooded, it’s a very pure expression of the variety, showing rose petal and wild herb aromas, some savoury grip and layers of bramble, pomegranate and red cherry. TA
£299.00 per wooden case 6x75cl
