Aalto
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Exquisite, bold, and nuanced, the Aalto Fuente de las Hontanillas 2020 is a triumph of Spanish winemaking from the esteemed Ribera del Duero region. Created by Bodegas Aalto, a world-renowned winery founded in 1998 by Mariano Garcia and Javier Zaccagnini, this vintage embodies precision, complexity, and balance. The hand-harvested Tempranillo grapes are matured for 16 months in French and American oak barrels, resulting in an exceptional wine boasting rich flavours of black cherry, plum, and chocolate, underpinned by earthy undertones and velvety tannins. The Aalto Fuente de las Hontanillas 2020 showcases Garcia's extraordinary prowess for creating sophisticated, New World-inspired wines that bear an unmistakable Old World soul. With its impressive ageing potential, this wine is poised to bring joy to discerning oenophiles for years to come. Immerse yourself in the exploration of the Aalto Fuente de las Hontanillas 2020's distinctive composition and style.
$316.00 -
(6x75cl) 2005Vinous (93)
Opaque purple color. Intensely perfumed nose displays spicy dark berry and floral character, with zesty minerals and black tea adding complexity. Pliant blackberry and cherry flavors are impressively fresh, becoming deeper and sweeter with air. An admirably balanced wine, playing depth against vivacity and finishing with outstanding clarity and length. This is the most elegant example of this bottling I've tasted.$744.00 -
Vinous (90+)
Bright purple. Pungent, intensely perfumed nose displays black and blue fruits, violet, Indian spices and a lively, peppery note. Sweet and lush on entry, then smoky and intense in the middle, offering brawny blackberry and mulberry flavors and suggestions of bitter chocolate and cracked pepper. Ripe but fresh, with a juicy, long finish that features notes of smoke and blackberry. This is pretty powerful for the vintage and deserves some patience.$177.00 -
(6x75cl) 2009Aalto Ribera del Duero 2009 epitomises the quintessence of Spanish viticulture, meticulously crafted in the esteemed Ribera del Duero region. Harvested from select Tempranillo grapes nurtured in high-altitude vineyards, the 2009 vintage benefits from optimal sun exposure and mineral-rich soils. Under the expert stewardship of the Aalto family, renowned for their dedication to traditional winemaking techniques, the wine underwent an extended maceration period followed by ageing in French oak barrels for 24 months. This process imbues the wine with a complex bouquet of dark berries, tobacco, and subtle spice, while delivering a full-bodied palate characterised by velvety tannins and a lingering finish. Aalto Ribera del Duero 2009 showcases exceptional balance and depth, reflecting both the terroir and the producer’s unwavering commitment to excellence. Ideal for connoisseurs seeking a distinguished red wine, this vintage stands as a testament to Aalto’s esteemed reputation in fine wine circles.
$325.00 -
Vinous (92)
(100% tempranillo, aged for 24 months in small French and American oak barrels): Opaque violet color. Ripe dark berry, cola and floral aromas, with a strong accent of incense. Fat, sweet and palate-staining, offering intense red and dark berry preserve flavors lifted by juicy acidity. Powerful yet comes off as quite graceful. Finishes very long and sweet, with supple tannins and persistent spiciness.$134.00 -
(6x75cl) 2010Vinous (92)
(100% tempranillo, aged for 24 months in small French and American oak barrels): Opaque violet color. Ripe dark berry, cola and floral aromas, with a strong accent of incense. Fat, sweet and palate-staining, offering intense red and dark berry preserve flavors lifted by juicy acidity. Powerful yet comes off as quite graceful. Finishes very long and sweet, with supple tannins and persistent spiciness.$318.00 -
(6x75cl) 2012Vinous (92)
Opaque ruby. Deeply pitched black and blue fruit aromas are complicated by suggestions of mocha, licorice, cigar box and floral oils. Lush and broad on the palate, offering intense cassis and boysenberry flavors braced by juicy acidity. This plush, generous wine shows unlikely vivacity and finishes very long and sweet, with gentle tannins lending shape.$325.00 -
Wine Advocate (93)
The 2013 Aalto is a lighter wine, with less color, more freshness as it should be in a cooler vintage. It has a bright color which also denotes high acidity. The year was not easy and they had to work more on the origin of grapes: it has less from La Horra and more from La Aguilera, a cooler village, both in the province of Burgos, because in La Horra they had more frost problems. It's aged in less than 30% new barrels and the oak feels better integrated, definitively less oaky than other vintages. The nose has a combination of red and black fruit, spicy aromas and a sense of freshness, with even some violets. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with very fine tannins, abundant but well padded by juicy fruit, good acidity and freshness. This is a lot more fluid and balanced, with better-integrated oak than in the past. This is a fresher Aalto that should age nicely in bottle. 175,000 bottles were filled in July 2015 after 18 months in barrel. 2013 has delivered the freshest bottles of Aalto so far, a lighter regular Aalto and one of the best PS to date.$182.00 -
Wine Advocate (93)
The 2013 Aalto is a lighter wine, with less color, more freshness as it should be in a cooler vintage. It has a bright color which also denotes high acidity. The year was not easy and they had to work more on the origin of grapes: it has less from La Horra and more from La Aguilera, a cooler village, both in the province of Burgos, because in La Horra they had more frost problems. It's aged in less than 30% new barrels and the oak feels better integrated, definitively less oaky than other vintages. The nose has a combination of red and black fruit, spicy aromas and a sense of freshness, with even some violets. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with very fine tannins, abundant but well padded by juicy fruit, good acidity and freshness. This is a lot more fluid and balanced, with better-integrated oak than in the past. This is a fresher Aalto that should age nicely in bottle. 175,000 bottles were filled in July 2015 after 18 months in barrel. 2013 has delivered the freshest bottles of Aalto so far, a lighter regular Aalto and one of the best PS to date.$97.00 -
(6x75cl) 2014Wine Advocate (92)
The 2014 Aalto is produced with Tempranillo from different zones of Ribera del Duero aged in oak barrels, some 70% of them new, for 16 months, a little bit less than in previous years when the wine was aged for some 18 months. They now use some grapes from new vineyards they started planting in the year 2000. The nose has plenty of black fruit, with something earthy, including hints of graphite and lead pencil. It has a classical, somehow Bordelaise, profile with sweet spices and cedar wood; it's ripe without excess. The palate is full-bodied and powerful, with good balance, in an XL style, as the wine hits the scales at 15% alcohol. The tannins are very polished, with some grainy texture and good freshness. This is ready now and should also be able to age nicely in bottle, set to be a commercial success, with the typical Aalto profile. 260,000 bottles produced. Aalto has reduced the oak in its wines, as they saw that the latest vintages had polished tannins and Mariano García decided the wines needed less time in barrel, while at the same time it helped to keep the freshness in bottle. They are still modern and generously oaked Ribera del Duero reds that are a great commercial success. 2014 is a ripe and powerful vintage that has good freshness. A balanced year. These are wines with a marked and specific character, for fans of the style.$254.00 -
Wine Advocate (93-95)
When I tasted it, the 2016 Aalto had already been blended and taken out of the barrels, waiting to be bottled in a couple of weeks. It's still young and tender, with peachy aromas, a little creamy and with a soft palate where the tannins are fine-grained. In 2016, they used more vineyards, grapes from their own plots and others purchased from suppliers. They expect to fill some 280,000 bottles in late June 2018. 2016 was a higher-yielding year that provided fresh and balanced wines. It should age nicely. Javier Zaccagnini has left the Aalto project to focus on his solo project Sei Solo. So, this time I tasted the wine with Mariano García.$107.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2017 Aalto was a surprise for the vintage. They had to select the grapes from their own vineyards, and they produced less wine. It feels a little lighter and fresher, more approachable at this point in time. The oak also seems to be more integrated. It's a very drinkable Aalto in its style. They only used some 20% new oak and possibly did a softer vinification. It's approachable now, but it should also develop nicely in bottle, as the year had more acidity. 220,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2019.$95.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2018 Aalto reflects the cooler conditions of the year, with a more austere profile, subtle aromas and a harmonious palate. This is a classic example of modern, ripe and well-oaked Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, which this year feels creamy, juicy and balanced. This follows the path of 2017 with integrated oak (they used only around 20% new oak) and a lively palate in a more drinkable and approachable style. They added some new vineyards from the zone of Boada where the soils are red and the wines bring freshness and lots of fruit. The wine had a shorter maceration with the skins and a softer vinification. This is finer and more balanced, with finesse but still very much recognizable as Aalto. 300,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2020. They have a new white first produced in 2019 and a non-vintage red blend to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the winery. They are also going to release small lots of library releases. The 2018s reflect the cooler year and show more integrated oak, following the path of the 2017.$127.00 -
(1x75cl) 2018
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2018 Aalto reflects the cooler conditions of the year, with a more austere profile, subtle aromas and a harmonious palate. This is a classic example of modern, ripe and well-oaked Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, which this year feels creamy, juicy and balanced. This follows the path of 2017 with integrated oak (they used only around 20% new oak) and a lively palate in a more drinkable and approachable style. They added some new vineyards from the zone of Boada where the soils are red and the wines bring freshness and lots of fruit. The wine had a shorter maceration with the skins and a softer vinification. This is finer and more balanced, with finesse but still very much recognizable as Aalto. 300,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2020. They have a new white first produced in 2019 and a non-vintage red blend to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the winery. They are also going to release small lots of library releases. The 2018s reflect the cooler year and show more integrated oak, following the path of the 2017.$136.00 -
(6x75cl) 2018Wine Advocate (94)
The 2018 Aalto reflects the cooler conditions of the year, with a more austere profile, subtle aromas and a harmonious palate. This is a classic example of modern, ripe and well-oaked Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, which this year feels creamy, juicy and balanced. This follows the path of 2017 with integrated oak (they used only around 20% new oak) and a lively palate in a more drinkable and approachable style. They added some new vineyards from the zone of Boada where the soils are red and the wines bring freshness and lots of fruit. The wine had a shorter maceration with the skins and a softer vinification. This is finer and more balanced, with finesse but still very much recognizable as Aalto. 300,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2020. They have a new white first produced in 2019 and a non-vintage red blend to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the winery. They are also going to release small lots of library releases. The 2018s reflect the cooler year and show more integrated oak, following the path of the 2017.$320.00 -
Expertly crafted in the esteemed Ribera Del Duero region, the Aalto Ribera Del Duero 2019 is a masterful embodiment of Spanish winemaking. A product of acclaimed winery Aalto Bodegas y Viñedos, this vintage combines the best of old-world tradition with innovative production techniques. The Aalto grapes are meticulously hand-harvested, ferments in oak barrels and aged for 16 months to produce a velvety finish. This wine displays a beguiling palate of ripe plums, blackberries, and subtle licorice undertones.
A vintage that offers depth and complexity, the Aalto Ribera Del Duero 2019 demonstrates the quality synonymous with Aalto's commitment: crafting extraordinary wines that reflect both the character of the grapes and their unique terroir. Recognised as a fantastic vintage year by leading wine authorities, the Aalto Ribera Del Duero 2019 satisfies even the most discerning palates, making it a stellar choice for collectors, enthusiasts, and fine dining experiences.
$127.00 -
(6x75cl) 2019Expertly crafted in the esteemed Ribera Del Duero region, the Aalto Ribera Del Duero 2019 is a masterful embodiment of Spanish winemaking. A product of acclaimed winery Aalto Bodegas y Viñedos, this vintage combines the best of old-world tradition with innovative production techniques. The Aalto grapes are meticulously hand-harvested, ferments in oak barrels and aged for 16 months to produce a velvety finish. This wine displays a beguiling palate of ripe plums, blackberries, and subtle licorice undertones.
A vintage that offers depth and complexity, the Aalto Ribera Del Duero 2019 demonstrates the quality synonymous with Aalto's commitment: crafting extraordinary wines that reflect both the character of the grapes and their unique terroir. Recognised as a fantastic vintage year by leading wine authorities, the Aalto Ribera Del Duero 2019 satisfies even the most discerning palates, making it a stellar choice for collectors, enthusiasts, and fine dining experiences.
$304.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The nose of the red 2020 Aalto comes blasting with tons of toasted oak, spice, smoke and more toast, ripe berries and a luxurious creaminess like the finest modern wines from the turn of the century. This is predictable but exactly what their customers are looking for, with ripe berries, generous oak and a velvety palate with volume, soft tannins and mellow acidity. It matured in French and American oak barrels for 18 months. Some things never change. 330,000 bottles. It was bottled in July 2022.$126.00 -
Steeped in tradition, the Aalto Ribera Del Duero 2021 hails from Spain's eminent Ribera Del Duero region, renowned for its exceptional viticulture. Crafted by Bodegas Aalto, a winery celebrated for its commitment to quality, this fine wine captures the essence of the region's unique terroir. Hand-harvested from 40 to 100-year-old vines and artfully aged in French and American oak barrels, this Tempranillo manifests a complexity that is testament to its prestigious origin and meticulous production.
Aalto Ribera Del Duero 2021 is the epitome of elegance, offering a captivating array of flavours, marked by vivid red fruit notes complemented by refined hints of spice and oak. Its rich, velvety texture and well-balanced acidity culminate in a persistent and enveloping finish. Perfectly encapsulating Bodegas Aalto's mastery of winemaking, Aalto Ribera Del Duero 2021 is a wine of distinction, designed for the discerning palate.
$122.00 -
Steeped in tradition, the Aalto Ribera Del Duero 2021 hails from Spain's eminent Ribera Del Duero region, renowned for its exceptional viticulture. Crafted by Bodegas Aalto, a winery celebrated for its commitment to quality, this fine wine captures the essence of the region's unique terroir. Hand-harvested from 40 to 100-year-old vines and artfully aged in French and American oak barrels, this Tempranillo manifests a complexity that is testament to its prestigious origin and meticulous production.
Aalto Ribera Del Duero 2021 is the epitome of elegance, offering a captivating array of flavours, marked by vivid red fruit notes complemented by refined hints of spice and oak. Its rich, velvety texture and well-balanced acidity culminate in a persistent and enveloping finish. Perfectly encapsulating Bodegas Aalto's mastery of winemaking, Aalto Ribera Del Duero 2021 is a wine of distinction, designed for the discerning palate.
$277.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (95)
Blending 100% Tempranillo from nine different villages in the province of Burgos and Valladolid, where the vines are from 40 to 80 years old, the 2022 is red fruit forward, juicy, and well-concentrated. French and American oak are used for aging 16 months after fermentation in stainless steel. With bright acidity providing energy to the length of creamy tannins and full-bodied intensity, this wine is built for approachability in its youth. Nonetheless, I see it aging well 10-15 years more.$265.00 -
(12x75cl) 2004Vinous (94)
Dark ruby. Strongly perfumed scents of exotic cherry-cola, blackberry, vanilla and Asian spices. Weighty but focused dark fruit flavors offer striking clarity and palate-staining concentration, with soft tannins building on the close. The cola quality lingers on the long, sweet finish. This wonderfully balances richness and vivacity.$2,675.00 -
Vinous (94)
Dark ruby. Strongly perfumed scents of exotic cherry-cola, blackberry, vanilla and Asian spices. Weighty but focused dark fruit flavors offer striking clarity and palate-staining concentration, with soft tannins building on the close. The cola quality lingers on the long, sweet finish. This wonderfully balances richness and vivacity.$641.00 -
(6x75cl) 2004Vinous (94)
Dark ruby. Strongly perfumed scents of exotic cherry-cola, blackberry, vanilla and Asian spices. Weighty but focused dark fruit flavors offer striking clarity and palate-staining concentration, with soft tannins building on the close. The cola quality lingers on the long, sweet finish. This wonderfully balances richness and vivacity.$1,160.00 -
Wine Advocate (98)
The 2005 Aalto PS is 100% Tinto Fino from vineyards over 60 years of age. It was aged for 32 months in 70% new French oak. Saturated in appearance, the wine offers up notes of pain grille, balsamic, crushed stone, floral notes, and wild black fruits. Exceptionally powerful, focused, and beautifully proportioned, this full-bodied wine is dense, rich, and structured for the long haul. Give this super-long, impressive effort a decade in the cellar and drink it from 2018 to 2040. Patient purchasers will be well rewarded.$961.00 -
(1x150cl) 2010Decanter (93)
The man behind this wine, Mariano García, was the winemaking director at Vega Sicilia for three decades. With fruit from old vines, it’s silky and lustrous, with a major concentration of dark, peppery fruit on both the nose and palate, and a surge of tannins on the finish. Still young, but super-fine.$198.00 -
Decanter (93)
The man behind this wine, Mariano García, was the winemaking director at Vega Sicilia for three decades. With fruit from old vines, it’s silky and lustrous, with a major concentration of dark, peppery fruit on both the nose and palate, and a surge of tannins on the finish. Still young, but super-fine.$438.00 -
Decanter (93)
The man behind this wine, Mariano García, was the winemaking director at Vega Sicilia for three decades. With fruit from old vines, it’s silky and lustrous, with a major concentration of dark, peppery fruit on both the nose and palate, and a surge of tannins on the finish. Still young, but super-fine.$731.00 -
Vinous (94)
Inky ruby. A heady, complex bouquet evokes fresh blueberry, boysenberry, cherry compote and potpourri, with hints of vanilla and cola emerging slowly. Stains the palate with intense, energetic dark fruit preserve and floral pastille flavors. A spine of juicy acidity adds structure and powers a strikingly long, floral finish, which features supple tannins and lingering spiciness.$186.00 -
(1x300cl) 2011
Vinous (94)
Inky ruby. A heady, complex bouquet evokes fresh blueberry, boysenberry, cherry compote and potpourri, with hints of vanilla and cola emerging slowly. Stains the palate with intense, energetic dark fruit preserve and floral pastille flavors. A spine of juicy acidity adds structure and powers a strikingly long, floral finish, which features supple tannins and lingering spiciness.$419.00
