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94POINTS
17½/20
Bodega Lanzaga Vinedos en Lanziego 2018
Rioja, SpainThe combination of organic grape growing and low intervention winemaking reveals a terroir that sets this field blend of tempranillo, garnacha, and graciano free. The delicious factor is off the charts, and the drinkability is equally impressive. You can’t get much more quality than this for $40. If you gave up on Rioja a few years ago, it’s time to return, because this is the real thing. Telmo Rodriguez returned to the Rioja family business in 1998, a different person from the one who first worked with his father making white wines. He was far more experienced and keen to elevate the region’s wines to something that spoke to the past. His passion led to a search for the best places in Rioja, “those towns with a long tradition of viticulture.” In the end, he chose Lanciego de Alava, in the Rioja Alavesa, as his base, and he set about buying small pieces of dirt that best express the characteristics of the nearby village. Today Lanzaga covers 15 hectares, an old-time model on a human scale, something Rodriguez imagines to be responsible for “the famed Riojas of the 18th century.” Bush pruning, field blend, organic viticulture, concrete fermentation, ageing in foudres and barrels of different sizes and origins is Lanzaga. These grapes are grown at 500-700 metres, naturally fermented, and aged 14 months in 1500-2500 litre foudres and 225-litre barriques. In 2018 the wine was a knockout.Tasted: 20 September 2022Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml | private wine shops |
| AB | $39.95 | 750ml | private wine shops |
| ON | $39.95 | 750ml | consignment - Lifford Wine Agency |
| QC | $39.95 | 750ml | SAQ |
Grape: Tempranillo/Tinto Fino/Tinta del Toro/AragonezCSPC: 585992UPC: 08436037401022
