Alberto Orte 2015 'La Antigua' Clasico Crianza, Rioja DOCa

Terroir Notes: La Antigua Clásico is one of Alberto Orte’s most enduring history projects and shows off an unexplored region of DOCa Rioja, the western mountain range of Sierra de la Demanda. The Sierra de la Demanda mountain range is at the western edge of DOCa Rioja, in a series of valleys that border the Ezcaray national forest that are remote and untouched. The northern facing, high-altitude vineyards receive far less sunshine than those in the valley, resulting in grapes that ripen slowly, showcasing intense flavors of greater balance and focus. This area is one of the last to harvest in all of Western Europe, usually in early November. In addition to the cool climate, Sierra de la Demanda’s vineyards are extremely scattered and steep. This terrain is impossible to mechanize, and all vineyard work must be done by hand. Vines were planted from 1940 to 1955.

Winemaking Notes: The wine spends 24 months in stainless steel tanks plus 24 months in 60% French and 40% American old oak barrels. Aged far longer than most crianzas, La Antigua Clásico has an elegance and silky texture unusual for this age statement of Rioja.