The 2018 La Rioja Alta, Vina Alberdi Reserva, Rioja was a Merchant's Pick
"Super Rioja" is a TREMENDOUS value!
November 10, 2023
Fads come and go, but traditions never change. The wines of La Rioja Alta embody that phrase.
In any vintage, La Rioja Alta is a reference point Rioja red. Their Tempranillos are world-class. Their 2018 Vina Alberdi is a HUGE VALUE Super Rioja!
All of their collectible and prized Tempranillo fruit that typically goes into their "Vina Ardana" and "Gran Reserva Seleccion Especial," at $50 and $120 respectively, all went into the 2018 "Vina Alberdi." That hasn't happened since 2002 - and that wine was stunning!
We love this wine's elegant fruit and depth. There are secondary and tertiary notes of wild raspberries, cherry, plum, clove, and balsamic notes. There's even mushroom and walnut as well as leather. It is gorgeous and complex and showcases the premium fruit declassified into this Super Rioja in this vintage.
You cannot ask for a better value Tempranillo than the 2018 Vina Alberdi. Able to select from a variety of 2,500 international wines, Tad Drouet, Senior Sales Associate at the distributor, enjoys the 2018 Vina Alberdi as his "house pour." That says a lot given the quality of wines he has access to from France to Italy to Spain and California - from every day to collectible.
Perfect for cooler weather cuisine, we recommend pairing this tasty Tempranillo with roasted or grilled meats, and stews.
Enjoy now and over the next 10 years.
Enjoy!