Alberto Orte 'La Antigua Clásico' Reserva 2012
Alberto Orte 'La Antigua Clásico' Reserva 2012
A classic style Rioja produced from high elevation vineyards located in the Sierra de la Demanda area of the Rioja appellation. Old vines of Garnacha planted since 1940. Vines are tended in mineral soils of red silica, which are very unique and rare in Rioja.
60% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano. Vines planted from 1940 to 1955. Tended in sandy, limestone soil and red silica at 700 m (2,296 ft) elevation. The average temperature during the April to October growing season is 22C (71.6F). Annual rainfall: 210 mm (8.3 in).
The wine is aged 72 months in 60% French and 40% American oak barrels and 10 months in bottle.
Accolades
A red with plum and light jam aromas and flavors. It’s round and soft with delicious fruit and round tannins. Still very fresh. Nice, friendly tannins at the end. Drink now. - 92 points - October, 2021, James Suckling
Alberto Orte is a pioneer. He has found vineyards in a less explored area south of the Ebro River in Rioja. They consist of old vines with Garnacha vines from the 1940s. He has a soft hand with this wine and blends with skill and grace. It's an old-school style of Rioja with tight fruit that is softened a bit by some oak. There is a tannic frame but it’s subtle. You can smell dried fruit like orange peels and cherries wafting from the comfy balanced body of the wine. - 91 points - September, 2022, Keith Beavers
Tasting Notes
ruby red
ripe red berries
cracked pepper
vanilla and raspberry flavors, with a hint of cherry
smooth tannins until the end
Best to enjoy with
braised meats
roasted mushrooms
stewed beef, duck and game
Alberto Orte Espejo was born in Madrid and now lives in El Puerto de Santa María (Cádiz) with his family. In 1999, at the age of 24, he partnered with his friend Patrick Mata, a native of Malaga, and created Ole Imports. Alberto handles the selection of wines and winemaking in Spain while Patrick manages the commercial and marketing part of the business in the USA.
In 2003, Patrick and Alberto decided to establish another company that was directly involved in the production of wine in different areas of Spain, so they created the Vinos Atlántico, whose fundamental mission is to find great vineyard-sites and indigenous varietals from old vines in high elevation vineyards tended in low yielding, balanced soil which will be used as the raw material to handcraft their wines.
Alberto Orte Vinos is a division of Vinos Atlántico that highlights wines farmed and vinified by Alberto from beginning to end, thus warranting his talent and status as one of the great active vintners in Spain.
