Very tempting and opulent aroma of ripe fruits. Red fruits dominate: raspberries, strawberries and cherries, but some black berries are also clearly detectable. Surprisingly, given the 14.5% alcohol and the 20 months spent in oak, neither the wood nor the alcohol spoils the olfactory experience.
The bright, lively fruits shine through the mouth as well. The oak and the Tempranillo grapes are well married together. The overall sensation is of a nicely balanced wine, with a solid body, well integrated tannins and a fruity long lingering aftertaste.
Aalto was founded in 1999 by Mariano Garcia and Javier Zaccagnini. Both men with excellent pedigrees: Garcia has been winemaker at the iconic Vega Sicilia for 30 years, Zaccagnini was previously the president of the appellation’s Consejo Regulator. The first contributed primarily winemaking skills, the second management skills and a valuable relationship to winegrowers.
The hospitality I experienced while visiting Aalto in 2015 has been overwhelming. The winery is very modern and located among a bucolic landscape in the Ribera del Duero DO. It has a low temperature room to cool down the harvested grapes before de-stemming and a gravity-flow system for moving the wine in the gentlest way.
I bought this bottle at ARVI for 41 CHF a couple of years ago. Today it sells for 52 CHF. In my cellar I still have only one bottle. I regret not having bought more.
Country: Spain
Region: Ribera del Duero
Grapes: Tempranillo
Type: Red
Vintage: 2012
Producer: Aalto Bodegas y Vinedos
Price range: Premium (30-50 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 5/5