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May we present Altos a delicious silky red from a bodega that's new to us but not the man behind it Jean Marc Sauboua. It's from Rioja without a doubt Spain's best known wine region the signature style of which is smooth vanilla scented oak aged reds thanks in part to the winemakers of Bordeaux. It's an intriguing story. Don Manuel Quintano is widely held to have introduced the barrel ageing of reds to Rioja way back in 1787 following a fact finding trip to Bordeaux. It wasn't until much later however that barrel ageing became commonplace in Rioja. As you may know the vineyards of Bordeaux and eventually most of Europe were ravaged by a root eating louse called phylloxera in the 19th century. Many Bordeaux winemakers moved south to find work and in doing so their long established tradition of barrel ageing became widespread in Rioja. This is a luscious gently oaked Rioja made purely from Spain's best known grape Tempranillo. It's been expertly crafted by our very own Jean Marc Saboua and acclaimed winemaker Hector Gomez who previously worked at Pingus Spain's premier estate bar none. The 2006 is a lovely fruity wine. Ageing for six months in American oak barrels has added notes of toasty vanilla and spice to its luscious red berry fruit. Spain RED Brand Availability YES Online price 8.49 A delicious mouthfilling red courtesy of hugely talented winemaker Jean-Marc Sauboua.
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