When you take a crisp $20 bill out to shop for a fine red wine worthy of a great meal and with the potential to improve in the cellar, the choices are limited…

Until you get to Spain!

And where else in Spain but the original epicenter of great reds, Rioja! Decanter defined a previous vintage as “a beautiful wine with the X-factor” and that’s exactly how the consistency here pans out.

Altanza is nestled in Spain’s iconoclastic Rioja region, wherein the company of wineries dating back to the 19th century, are a relative newcomer, established only in 1998. Yet in no time they have risen to stardom with big recognition from the press, as they have dialed their style down to sit right between traditionalism and modernity.

A translucent garnet to ruby perimeter expands wide from a deeper core of sunset crimson. One sniff and you know you’re in Rioja, bridging traditional earthiness with modern spiciness. Seamless and silky with ultrafine tannins and sweet cherry notes underpinning a mineral backbone. The rich plummy core of ripe berries red and black echo with mellow nuances of iron, and nutmeg. An ideal accompaniment to Paella Valenciana, use rabbit, chorizo, and orzo to go traditional.

The greater Rioja region expands into diverse microclimates and various soils that result in multitudes of styles. With polarized traditional and modernist camps competing and driving the region forward, Rioja is made up of 3 distinct zones: Alta, Alavesa, and Baja, each with its own winemaking subtleties. Altanza is perfectly situated in Rioja Alta, a modernist establishment with deeply rooted respect for the region’s tradition-rich history, and this impeccable Reserva truly exemplifies what makes Rioja special.

Dollar for dollar, you would be hard-pressed to find a better cellar-worthy bargain out there.

92 Points – James Suckling

“This has a vibrant and attractively fresh, fleshy feel on the nose with a red-plum core on the palate. Silky and fleshy with a very open-knit finish. Drink or hold.”