Reserva Goya 2008 75cl

The 2008 Lealtanza "Goya" sees 18 months in new French oak. It appears and smells extraordinarily youthful, with decadent, toasty, pure black fruits laced with eucalyptus and blood orange. The palate is very smooth and rounded with polished, saturated tannins and luscious dark chocolate-tinged fruit towards the harmonious finish, where I feel there is still a lot of oak to be absorbed. I am sure it will be after a couple years. This has very good potential. Drink 2015-2022.  Bodegas Altanza is a relatively recent addition to the Rioja landscape, having been established in 1998. They own around 200 hectares of vine, plus another 50 hectares under contracted vineyards. With respect to their red varieties, they are all 100% Tempranillo. The winery is located just outside the town of Fuenmayor in Rioja Alta, and from the very beginning they have raised their wines through French rather than American oak (which accounts for around 10% of aging vessels). Apart from their top blends, their range utilizes a prudent 15% new oak, i.e. a six-year cycle of barrel usage. You could describe the style of their wines as modern, but with restraint. I will begin with their "Edulis" range, which is sourced from the bodega's own vines and runs parallel to the Lealtanza wines. Edulis is aimed towards a younger generation of wine drinkers and to the off-trade, wines that are easily understandable. Altanza produces two wines aimed at the U.S. market (although they are now also available in Europe). I tasted two wines from the premium "Spanish Artists Collection," which is available in three-packs, each adorned with a different picture of the chosen artist.