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 2019: best 2023 to 2034.
vintage4 yrs15 yrs17 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Atkin reviewed 2022 | 2019 | 93/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: white peach, citrus, fennel, subtle toast, mineral
Palate: stone fruit, citrus, creamy texture, saline
A barrel-fermented prestige white blending Viura with Tempranillo Blanco: textured, savoury and mineral, one of the house's terroir-driven flagships.
What it pairs with
-
Bacalao al pil pil
Find bacalao al pil pil on TableJourney →
Salt cod's emulsified oil meets the white's creamy texture. -
Kokotxas de merluza
Find kokotxas de merluza on TableJourney →
Hake cheeks in pil pil echo the saline richness. -
Roast hake
Oven hake handles the barrel-fermented depth.
How to serve Montes Obarenes
Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
- Serve at 8-10°C. Cellar temperature (8-10°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a smaller all-purpose white glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Bacalao al pil pil, Kokotxas de merluza, Roast hake. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Montes Obarenes is the house's prestige white, a barrel-fermented blend of Viura and Tempranillo Blanco.
- 2013: Montes Obarenes established as the house prestige white
Facts
- Producer
- Gomez Cruzado · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Viura (60%), Tempranillo Blanco (40%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Fermented and aged in French oak with lees work
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 30 to 50 at retail
- Drinking window
- 4 to 15 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2013
Frequently asked about Montes Obarenes
What does Montes Obarenes taste like?
On the nose, white peach, citrus, fennel, subtle toast, mineral. On the palate, stone fruit, citrus, creamy texture, saline. Structurally medium-bodied, high acidity with a long finish. A barrel-fermented prestige white blending Viura with Tempranillo Blanco: textured, savoury and mineral, one of the house's terroir-driven flagships.
When should I drink Montes Obarenes?
Drink 4 to 15 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Montes Obarenes?
Bacalao al pil pil is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Kokotxas de merluza and Roast hake. Salt cod's emulsified oil meets the white's creamy texture.
Is Montes Obarenes 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 Montes Obarenes?
The blend is Viura (60%), Tempranillo Blanco (40%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.
Tags
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