Alegre Valgañón, Rioja (Spain) 2020

 Rioja’s has slowly become more popular over the last decade.  Alegre Valagñón, named after the husband-and-wife winemaking team — Oscar Alegre and Eva Valgañón — has been producing wine since 2014 with a mission to make true-to-Rioja wines.   The blend of fruit and earthy notes is ideal with dark fruit ranging from wild blackberry to dark açai berry.  The accompaniment of earth and spices includes clove, tobacco, leaf, dried leaves, and acacia wood.  The body is warm and inviting with a structure trending towards tannins but easily enjoyable on its own.