WS: 91
A harmonious red, round and creamy, with a pure beam of ripe black cherry fruit married to supple tannins and accents of graphite, spice box and dark chocolate. Savory hints of loamy earth and dried thyme push through on the lightly chewy finish. Drink now through 2036. 54,000 cases made, 15,000 cases imported. –AN
WA: 94
The 2021 Viña Alberdi Selección Especial is only the second vintage to receive the mention "Selección Especial"—the first was the 2001— pointing at a very special vintage for this wine. It was produced with Tempranillo from Mayorita, Las Monjas, El Palo and El Bardal in the village of Rodezno and Alto del Rey in Labastida. The lightly destemmed and crushed grapes fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in American oak barrels for two years, the first year in new barrels and the second year in well-seasoned ones with an average age of 4.5 years, during which time, the wine was racked from barrel to barrel four times. It has 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.57 and 5.7 grams of acidity—very good parameters and indicators of freshness and balance. It's very classical and very clean, showing incipient complexity and just a hint of evolution and tertiary notes. It has terrific balance and freshness and pungent, focused and precise flavors. Without a doubt, this is the finest Alberdi I can remember. 650,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2024.
VN: 92
The 2021 Reserva Viña Alberdi Selección Especial (100% Tempranillo; Rioja Alta & Alavesa) marks only the second Selección Especial since 2001. On the nose, bitter orange, petit four and dried red fruit lead, wrapped in polished oak. Dry, lightly enveloping and structured, the palate brings tobacco and black fruit notes. Its vintage quality shows clearly, lending energy and length to a very classical Rioja.
