AWARDS : Decanter World Wine Awards 2021, Silver Medal Country: Spain Region: Rioja Varietal: Tempranillo Vintage: 2019 Colour: Red Style: Dry Producer: Izadi Description: Orben is an exciting estate in Rioja Alavesa from the same team behind Izadi, established with the aim of producing a single estate Rioja that rivals the best of the region. The Antón family owns 75% of the property, with the remaining 25% being split between 50 of Spain's top restaurants - all friends of the family who share a common passion for fine food and wine. The vineyards benefit from the mitigating influence of the Atlantic Ocean giving the resulting wines fresh acidity, which is important in a very warm climate. This area has the highest percentage of old vines in Rioja. The grapes for this wine come from a selection of 79 plots of an average size of 0.30 hectares, located in Laguardia. The vineyards were planted between 1945 and 1954 and have an average yield of four tonnes per hectare. The bush vine vineyards are planted on sandy soil at an altitude of around 520 metres above sea level. Tasting Note: This wine is intense garnet red in colour. It is very intense on the nose, with aromas of cherry, blackberry, toffee, toasty oak and a hint of leather. It has a complex and impeccable balance, with a long and aromatic finish.