Aalto PS 2023
Aalto PS 2023 is a dry, full-bodied red from Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero, Spain), in the full, structured reds style. Tannins are firm and acidity moderate; oak influence is noticeable. Good with steak, venison, lamb, roast pork. Drink within 15 years (to about 2038). Decant for about 1 hour. Organic farming is mentioned by the merchant. Critic score 96/100 (merchant-reported).
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bodegas Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia ‘Macán’ Rioja 2018 Vega Sicilia · Rioja | £67.50 | |||
| Aalto 2023 Aalto · Ribera del Duero | £48.00 | |||
| Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5 2020 Vega Sicilia · Ribera del Duero | £139.00 | |||
| Rioja Tinto Queiron Mi Lugar Vino de Quel Queirón · Rioja | £30.00 |
Cellar for up to 15 years. Decant 1 hour before serving. This sensational Tinta Fina from Ribera del Duero is the handiwork of Mariano Garcia who worked for some 30 years at Bodegas Vega Sicilia as winemaker and technical director. Mariano teamed up with the well-known wine business management consultant Javier Zaccagnini to found a brand-new project, Aalto, in the late 1990s. The winery now has 32 hectares of vineyards which have been planted with carefully-selected old clones as well as using older vineyards scattered across the Burgos province. Their iconic wine is the Aalto PS or Private Selection which is only made during the very finest vintages. Such is the attention to detail that the grapes undergo a rigorous multi-step selection process to distinguish the best fruit. Following vinification the wine is aged in top quality French oak barrels for 20 months before bottling. The result is a truly remarkable wine that regularly receives scores in the high 90s from the likes of Wine Spectator and Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate. Packed with opulent fruit, firm tannins, and a well-developed structure, this is a uniquely beautiful Ribera del Duero wine which will age extremely well in the cellar over the next 10-15 years. For those who wish to enjoy it sooner, it’s recommended to pair this powerful red with hearty dishes like steak, beef stews, barbecued meats, or even venison to bring out the luscious fruit character and soften the tannins.