2021 La Rioja Alta Rioja Vina Alberdi Seleccion Especial

94 points, The Wine Advocate
"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." - Luis Gutierrez, March 2026