La Antigua - Rioja Reserva 2012
Price: $34.99
| Producer | La Antigua |
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| Country | Spain |
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| Region | Rioja |
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| Varietal | Tempranillo |
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| Vintage | 2012 |
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| Sku | 01695 |
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| Size | 750ml |
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La Antigua is a unique wine... Geographically, Rioja is in a valley that goes from East to West. Located to the north are the mountains of Sierra Cantabria and to the South the mountains of Sierra de La Demanda. Most of the wineries lie on the southern-facing slopes of the Cantabria mountains, and in the areas surrounding the Ebro River. La Antigua vineyards are northern facing in the Sierra de la Demanda foothills. As a result of their exposure, temperatures are cooler, resulting in grapes that are able to ripen more slowly hence showcasing flavors of greater balance and focus. In addition to the cooler conditions of this area, La Antigua is a place where the parcels are extremely small and steep. This terrain is almost impossible to mechanize, all the important vineyard work needs to be done by hand. The majority of the people who own these vineyards are local farmers who do not make wine, they only grow grapes, which in exchange they sell at top prices to the big bodegas mostly located in the north of the valley near the train tracks. In the case of La Antigua, both vineyards and winemaking are handled by the same people!
60% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano from 60-75 year-old vines! Aged in (60%) French and (40%) American oak for four years! The heavy amount of Garnacha is quite unique for the region these days, as Tempranillo is more “in fashion.” But that’s what I love about these old wineries and vineyards. They planted what made sense for their soil and microclimate, not what the cognoscenti were dictating!
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