Casa Albali - Crianza - Valdepeñas D.O.C.

An oak-aged Tempranillo wine from the heart of Spain offering similar qualities to a Rioja at a fraction of the price.

Vintage; 2015

Origin: Felix Solis, Valdepeñas D.O.C.

Taste guide: Medium bodied, cherry and strawberry fruit flavours, spice notes and vanilla tannins, oaked

75cl - 13% - natural cork closure

The Valdepeñas D.O.C. region takes its name from the eponymous ancient city that lies on a sun-baked river valley dotted by small rocky formations - literally Val-de-peñas – Valley of Rocks. It is situated in the middle of Spain to the south of the Castilla-la Mancha region. 

The family company of Felix Solis opened their winery here in 1975 with some of the best and most modern production and bottling technology in the world.  For the purposes of traditional ageing, the site has a large cave of American oak barrels, necessary for the production of crianzas such as this.

This wine is elaborated with a selection of Tempranillo grapes from the best of the family Solís’ own vineyards in Valdepeñas. Tempranillo is of course the red grape of Spain, the backbone of Riojas for instance, and known locally as Cencibel. Following harvesting, the grapes underwent soft maceration with frequent pumping cycles to extract noble tannins, and keep fruity intensity, followed by temperature-controlled fermentation.

Deep and fresh aroma of new wood, long and complex with hints of spices and red fruits. Surprisingly light taste and a good balance of tannins. This wine was aged in American oak barrels for 6 months and then bottle aged at the Bodega for a further for 2-3 years. This is longer ageing than the required classification as Crianza.

The wine is bright garnet red in colour and offers strawberry and vanilla notes on the nose. The palate shows ripe strawberry, autumnal, baked, berry fruit with sweet Christmas spices. Overall it is long and complex with hints of spices and red fruits with a good balance of tannins. Creamy and persistent aftertaste.

This vintage won the 2018 Berliner Wein Trophy and was awarded Silver at the 2019 Sommelier Wine Awards.

Not widely seen elsewhere but prices of over £9 have been noted.

At Binendwines just £7.25 for a Crianza that is more than a match for a similar Rioja.