Altos de Rioja, Pigeage 2009
Modern, dense and powerful, with manual pigeage or pumping over three times a day for fullest flavour. 90% Tempranillo with Graciano, given a modern edge: purity and a clean, mineral finish.
Laguardia – Altos de Rioja
Although a relative newcomer to Rioja, this boutique winery in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa is passionately led by a group of experienced professionals with impeccable credentials in the world of Spanish wine. Joint owners and longstanding winemakers Roberto San Ildefonso and Bienvenido Muñoz are creating a range of uniquely modern Rioja wines.
Roberto and Bienvenido boast decades of experience between them, and combined with the expertise of Laithwaitesâ flying wine maker Jean-Marc Sauboua, who oversees the project, the bodega conveys an expert winemaking heritage. Consequently, the winery has been able to replicate a high level of quality and a distinctive personality in their wines that is rarely seen from young wineries. Their rapid success is the result of a strong guiding philosophy and a determination to balance the richness of the terroir and the traditional work in the vineyard with the latest technological advances.