In the glass
Aroma: blackcurrant, dark cherry, cedar, floral
Palate: concentrated dark fruit, cedar spice, graphite, structured tannins
O Fournier's prestige Reserva from the Burgos sector: concentrated dark fruit, cedar and graphite from 18 months in French oak, showing the ambition of the Fournier family's Ribera project.
What it pairs with
-
Roast lamb with Castilian herbs
Concentrated fruit and cedar suit herb-fragrant slow-roasted lamb. -
Grilled Iberico pork pluma
Dense tannins need the fat and depth of premium Iberico. -
Strong aged sheep's cheese
Firm structure and dark fruit are complemented by pungent aged cheese.
How to serve Alfa Spiga
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. Roast lamb with Castilian herbs, Grilled Iberico pork pluma, Strong aged sheep's cheese. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Alfa Spiga is the prestige label from Bodegas O Fournier at Berlangas de Roa, drawing on the estate's best Tinto Fino parcels in the Burgos sector. The Fournier family, with roots in Argentina and Chile, applied international expertise to this Ribera project.
- 2004 — First Alfa Spiga vintage released from Berlangas de Roa estate
Facts
- Producer
- Bodegas O Fournier
- Grapes
- Tinto Fino
- Classification
- DO Ribera del Duero
- Oak
- 18 months in French oak barriques
- ABV
- 14.5%
- Price
- EUR 35-55 at retail
- Drinking window
- 7-16 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2004
Frequently asked about Alfa Spiga
What does Alfa Spiga taste like?
On the nose, blackcurrant, dark cherry, cedar, floral. On the palate, concentrated dark fruit, cedar spice, graphite, structured tannins. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, medium acidity with a long finish. O Fournier's prestige Reserva from the Burgos sector: concentrated dark fruit, cedar and graphite from 18 months in French oak, showing the ambition of the Fournier family's Ribera project.
When should I drink Alfa Spiga?
Drink 7-16 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Alfa Spiga?
Roast lamb with Castilian herbs is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Grilled Iberico pork pluma and Strong aged sheep's cheese. Concentrated fruit and cedar suit herb-fragrant slow-roasted lamb.
What grapes are in Alfa Spiga?
The blend is Tinto Fino. The wine is classified as DO Ribera del Duero.