La Rioja Alta, Rioja Reserva DOCa (La Rioja, Spain) “Viña Alberdi” 2019 ($19, Winebow)

Jan 15, 2025

By Vince Simmon
Wine label

La Rioja Alta has been making Rioja wines since 1890. Their 2019 Viña Alberdi Reserva seriously outperforms most counterparts at its price point. Blackberry, vanilla, cranberry, and leather notes are among the many complexities that this wine offers. The tannins are fine in grain but aggressively grippy. This 2019 Rioja Reserva sees 12 months in new American oak followed by two years in neutral barrels, meeting the 36 months total aging time and exceeding the 12 months required in barrel for a Rioja Reserva. This is a wine that can certainly develop further, but many will enjoy the power and complexity that this wine is already showing today.
93 Vince Simmon

Country / Region

La Rioja, Spain

Appellation

Rioja Reserva DOCa

Grape Variety

Color

Red

Vintage

2019

Score

93

Price

US $ 19

Producer

La Rioja Alta