Description

Carraquintana is a tiny vineyard in Rioja Alavesa which consists of three distinct small plots planted in 1930, 1940 and 1962, each of which have their own aspect and soil type which bring their own character and complexity to the final wine.  Carraquintana is planted to Tempranillo (2613 vines), Garnacha (14 vines), Graciano (9 vines) and Malvasia Riojana (296 vines), which are hand harvested into small crates prior to a regourous bunch and grape selction at the winery to ensure that only the very best quality grapes end up in the concrete egg for fermentation.  Malolactic fermentation takes place in French oak and the wine is aged for a further 14 months in oak, before resting in bottle for  few years prior to release. 

This beguiling single vineyard Rioja manages to strike a balance between traditional and modern with a silky, ethereal fruit character and well-integrated tannins.  With roughly 10% white grapes in the blend this beautiful Rioja displays a wonderful freshness and floral edge which is lifting and refreshing, and leads one into a more serious, structured palate than the nose initially suggests.  The finish is long and impeccably balanced, with oak and fruit in perfect harmony.  Although approachable now there is plenty of life ahead for the Carraquintana.

Bodegas Amaren have some of the highest vineyards in the Rioja Alavesa and are dedicated to the preservation of native varieties whilst making highly individual, modern interpretations from some seriously old vines.  The results are simply stunning and we are delighted to be able to offer a selection of these tiny production, highly characterful wines.  Bodegas Amaren practise a form of ‘A la Carte’ viticulture whereby each strain is treated individually according to it’s variety, situation and the conditions of the vintage.  This attention to detail certainly shows when you taste the wines.

Only 2016 bottles produced in the 2018 vintage.