Country: Spain Region: Rioja Varietal: Tempranillo Vintage: 2019 Colour: Red Style: Dry Producer: Bodegas Badiola Description: Badiola, founded in 2018, is a winery based in the heart of Rioja Alavesa. Badiola offers a new perspective on Rioja wines: here the emphasis is on site, rather than ageing. The vineyards are situated on the slopes of the Sierra Cantabria, predominantly surrounding the villages of Villabuena, Leza, Samaniego, Laguardia, Navaridas and Baños del Ebro, with each terroir producing wines with distinctive character. The vines are extremely old; many were planted in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s and they deliver concentrated juice with a clear identity. The winemaking philosophy is to obtain very pure, fresh and well-textured wines that reflect their origin. The grapes are from 50-year-old vines grown on hillside vineyards, hence the name ‘Laderas’ - meaning hillside. The Gobelet trained vines are planted in limestone soils, resulting in elegant wines that are fresh, precise and age worthy. Sustainable winemaking using minimal sprays of copper and sulphur when required. One third of the wine was aged in French and American oak barrels of second and third use, for five months to add texture and length without giving an overt oak character. The rest was aged in stainless steel tanks on the fine lees, resulting in a wine which reflects the terroir of Rioja Alavesa. Tasting Note : Pure and precise aromas of red cherries, summer pudding followed by a floral note and some thyme. It is bright and fresh, with acidity and concentrated fruit well-balanced. There is a hint of spice, but overall it's low on oak with fine tannins and a long finish. Serve slightly chilled. Incredible value.