Rioja: Bodegas Altanza
Visit a unique Rioja winery and discover Altanza, a place where wine tourism goes far beyond a tour with tastings.
Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2017: best 2022 to 2035.
vintage5 yrs18 yrs20 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Atkin reviewed 2022 | 2017 | 90/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: red and black cherry, cedar, vanilla, dried herb
Palate: dark fruit, fine tannin, savoury, spice
A pure-Tempranillo Reserva from estate fruit, known for its artist-label series: polished, savoury and balanced, a dependable modern Rioja.
What it pairs with
-
Cordero asado al sarmiento
Vine-shoot-roasted suckling lamb is the canonical Rioja match; the wine's resolved tannins frame the sweet fat. -
Chuleton de buey a la brasa
Find chuleton de buey a la brasa on TableJourney →
A thick aged-beef chop over embers meets the wine's savoury oak and grip. -
Jamon iberico
Cured Iberian ham echoes the wine's dried-cherry and leather register.
How to serve Lealtanza Reserva
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Cordero asado al sarmiento, Chuleton de buey a la brasa, Jamon iberico. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Lealtanza is Altanza's main range, with its art-label Reserva and Gran Reserva.
- 1998: Bodegas Altanza founded at Fuenmayor
Facts
- Producer
- Bodegas Altanza · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (100%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 18 months in French and American oak
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 14 to 24 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5 to 18 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1998
Frequently asked about Lealtanza Reserva
What does Lealtanza Reserva taste like?
On the nose, red and black cherry, cedar, vanilla, dried herb. On the palate, dark fruit, fine tannin, savoury, spice. Structurally full-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a long finish. A pure-Tempranillo Reserva from estate fruit, known for its artist-label series: polished, savoury and balanced, a dependable modern Rioja.
When should I drink Lealtanza Reserva?
Drink 5 to 18 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Lealtanza Reserva?
Cordero asado al sarmiento is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Chuleton de buey a la brasa and Jamon iberico. Vine-shoot-roasted suckling lamb is the canonical Rioja match; the wine's resolved tannins frame the sweet fat.
Is Lealtanza Reserva vegan?
No: the producer uses traditional animal-derived fining agents (typically egg whites or isinglass) during clarification, so the wine is not vegan.
What grapes are in Lealtanza Reserva?
The blend is Tempranillo (100%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.
Tags
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