In the glass

Medium-bodiedMedium tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: red and black cherry, cedar, dried herb, spice

Palate: red fruit, fine tannin, savoury, mineral

The estate's core Tempranillo from Briones: polished and savoury with a mineral lift, the accessible entry to the Allende style.

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 Allende Tinto

Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. 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

Allende Tinto is the estate's core red, a pure Tempranillo from Briones.

  1. 1995 — First Allende vintage as the estate was founded

Facts

Producer
Finca Allende
Grapes
Tempranillo (100%)
Classification
DOCa Rioja
Oak
Around 18 months in French oak
ABV
14.0%
Price
EUR 18 to 30 at retail
Drinking window
5 to 18 from vintage
First vintage
1995

Scores

  • Tim Atkin 92 (2018 vintage, reviewed 2022)

Frequently asked about Allende Tinto

What does Allende Tinto taste like?

On the nose, red and black cherry, cedar, dried herb, spice. On the palate, red fruit, fine tannin, savoury, mineral. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a long finish. The estate's core Tempranillo from Briones: polished and savoury with a mineral lift, the accessible entry to the Allende style.

When should I drink Allende Tinto?

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 Allende Tinto?

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 Allende Tinto 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 Allende Tinto?

The blend is Tempranillo (100%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.

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