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Tasting notes
The 2014 Aalto is produced with Tempranillo from different zones of Ribera del Duero aged in oak barrels, some 70% of them new, for 16 months, a little bit less than in previous years when the wine was aged for some 18 months. They now use some grapes from new vineyards they started planting in the year 2000. The nose has plenty of black fruit, with something earthy, including hints of graphite and lead pencil. It has a classical, somehow Bordelaise, profile with sweet spices and cedar wood; it's ripe without excess. The palate is full-bodied and powerful, with good balance, in an XL style, as the wine hits the scales at 15% alcohol. The tannins are very polished, with some grainy texture and good freshness. This is ready now and should also be able to age nicely in bottle, set to be a commercial success, with the typical Aalto profile. 260,000 bottles produced.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
100% Tempranillo, vines aged 40-80 years. This is a barrel sample but pretty much the final wine. Deep purplish crimson. Ripe, spicy blackberries, marked both by the primary fruit and the French oak spice. Thick and chewy, rich yet fresh. Powerful, firm but polite and generous at the same time. Supple, rich and gloriously mouth-filling, the alcohol well hidden but the fruit superb. (JH)