Tentenublo Rioja Tinto is the ultimate expression of the special terroir of Rioja Alavesa, through a blend of red and white grape varieties. Responsible for this is the "leader of Rioja's new revolution" (Wine Advocate) and "2015 New Winemaker of the Year" (Tim Atkin-Master of Wine), the winemaker Roberto Oliván.
Roberto Oliván belongs to the 4th generation of winemakers in a family of winegrowers who has been growing grapes in Rioja for at least 30 years. In 2011, he created Tentenublo Wines, in a style that could not be characterized by any existing one. It highlighted the region of DOCa Rioja, maintaining the traditional quality, but with an air of freshness, elegance, and less cask use!
The winery grows the Tempranillo, Garnacha, Viura, and Malvasía varieties, on 100 hectares of family vineyards, divided into 30 small parcels in the village of Viñaspre, north of Spain. The slopes of the Sierra de Cantabria are very steep and the harvest can be done only by hand. The altitude reaches 700 meters and the climatic difference between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, combined with the rare limestone soil of Rioja Alavesa, play a very important role in the character of the wine. Tradition calls for bells to be rung to ward off hailstorms that destroyed the grapes. Hence the name Tentenublo and the tag with the bell chasing the cloud!
Roberto Oliván vinifies red wines, always with a small percentage of white grapes, to create a flavor explosion! For the Tentenublo Rioja Tinto 2020, the grapes come from organically grown vineyards between 20 and 100 years old and they are transported in small cages to avoid injury! The blend includes 60% Tempranillo, 30% Garnacha, and 10% Viura and the wine is fermented with natural yeasts in open stainless steel tanks. After malolactic fermentation, aging follows in French and Hungarian oak barrels for 9 months. The red cherries are enhanced by the butter aromas and the result is simply irresistible!
This Rioja has mineral strength and fresh juicy fruit, and the right time to enjoy it is now or within the next 5 years!
