Aalto 2012 Front Bottle Shot
Aalto 2012 Front Bottle Shot Aalto 2012 Front Label

Winemaker Notes

#6 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2015

This wine's elegance and fruitful presence perfectly displays the vintage's Atlantic influence. In the nose, it offers freshness and a sharp minerality highlighting its complexity. On the palate, you experience excellence structure that is both round and sweet, with silky and persistent tannins, perfectly merged with the acidity and alcohol. It's a complex and long wine that keeps its presence in the mouth, exhibiting a wide range of flavors.

Pairs well with game, roasted lamb, stews and mature cheeses.

Professional Ratings

  • 94
    This red shows focus and density, with rich flavors of plum, blackberry, cocoa, licorice and mineral. The structure is muscular but graceful, featuring ripe fruit complemented by savory notes that keep this balanced and fresh.
  • 93
    There's purity and transparency in this red. Aromas of blackberries, blueberries and flowers. Full-bodied and layered with soft and velvety tannins. Very long and delicious. Drink now.
Aalto

Aalto

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Notoriously food-friendly, long-lasting and Spain’s most widely planted grape, Tempranillo is the star variety of red wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero. The Rioja terms Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva indicate both barrel and bottle time before release. Traditionally blended in Rioja with Garnacha, plus a bit of Mazuelo (Carignan) and Graciano, the Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero typically stands alone. Somm Secret—Tempranillo claims many different names depending on location. In Penedès, it is called Ull de Llebre and in Valdepeñas, goes by Cencibel. Known as Tinta Roriz in Portugal, Tempranillo plays an important role in Port wine.

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Ribera del Duero, Spanish wine region, is located in northen Spain’s Castilla y León region, just a 2-hour drive from Madrid. While winemaking in this area goes back more than 2000 years, it was in the 1980s that 9 wineries applied for and were granted Denominación de Origen (D.O.) status. Today, more than 300 wineries call Ribera del Duero home, including some of Spain’s most iconic names.

Notable Facts Ribera’s main grape variety, Tempranillo, locally know as Tinto Fino, is perfectly suited to the extreme climate of the region, where it must survive scorching summers and frigid winters. Low yields resulting from conscientious tending to old vines planted in Ribera’s diverse soils types, give Ribera wines a distinctive depth and complexity not found in other Tempranillos. Rich and full-bodied, the spice, dark fruit and smoky flavors in a bold Ribera del Duero will pair well with roasted and grilled meats, Mexican food and tomato-based sauces.

WAL465001_2012 Item# 139055