Heraclio Alfaro Crianza Rioja 2019 x 12

Heraclio Alfaro Crianza Rioja 2019 x 122019 The 2019 vintage has been ratified by the D. O. Ca. Rioja as excellent, a milestone that has not occurred since 2011. Year marked by stability in the evolution of the vineyard, with unusually low temperatures during July and hardly any days of easterly wind, which together with the night sprays have contributed to hydrate the fruit. 2019 will be remembered for being one of the freshest in Rioja. It is worth noting the excellent sanitary state,

2019 
The 2019 vintage has been ratified by the D.O.Ca. Rioja 
as excellent, a milestone that has not occurred since 
2011.
 Year marked by stability in the evolution of the vineyard, 
with unusually low temperatures during July and hardly 
any days of easterly wind, which together with the night 
sprays have contributed to hydrate the fruit. 2019 will be 
remembered for being one of the freshest in Rioja.
 It is worth noting the excellent sanitary state, with a 
moderate production, fewer bunches per vine and smaller 
bunches. Furthermore, in this season, a special factor 
linked to the quality of the grapes is added: the grain is 
much looser, which favors greater ventilation of the 
bunches, an indication of a harvest with 
"exceptional" quality.
 The resulting wines highlight an aromatic expression 
where fruity and floral notes predominate, being very rich 
in nuances and balanced on the palate with round and 
very silky tannins.
 VARIETIES
 Garnacha, Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuela
 VITICULTURE
 In the heart of the Eastern Rioja and at the foot of the 
winery is our El Estarijo farm, 30 hectares of 40-year-old 
vineyard, where we grow Tempranillo, Graciano and 
Mazuela. Loamy soils with a large amount of rounded 
pebbles, deep and with moderate fertility that induce 
contained vigor in the vineyard and correct maturation. 
From vineyards at the foot of the Sierra de la Hez, 
located at an altitude of 700 m, cooler and with a late 
maturation, we lower the Garnacha, which contributes to 
a better balance of the wine with a contribution of fresh 
fruit and acidity. These old Garnacha vines are the 
protagonists of the authentic Rioja Oriental wines.

WINEMAKING 
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D�NOMINACION D� O�G�N CALlflCADA 
The manual harvest is carried out in boxes of 18 kg 
capacity. Once in the winery, the bunches are selected 
on the selection table. They are destemmed and the 
whole grapes without squeezing are taken to the 
fermentation tanks by gravity, respecting their integrity 
as much as possible. They ferment for 20 days at 25°C, 
performing light pump-overs in order to make a 
selective extraction and preserve all their fruit. Now 
comes the know-how, to correctly refine the aging in 
oak barrels and achieve during this: complexity, a soft 
contribution of tannin and a moderate presence of 
wood. Aged for 12 months in oak barrels.
 TASTING COMMENTS
 Nice color, medium layer, delicate nose. Jam of red 
fruits and spices, integrated wood. Balance in the 
mouth, dense, soft, fresh and long finish.
 WINEMAKER'S COMMENTS 
We needed Heraclio Alfaro to be a wine linked to the 
soil and climate, which was related to the territory and 
the region's viticultural culture. This has been the source 
of our inspiration: centuries of collective wisdom and 
practical experience, where viticulturists cultivated 
various traditional varieties and built their wines by 
assembling them in the proper way, thus obtaining 
wines richer in nuances, balanced and unique. Garnacha, 
Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuela.
 PAIRING
 Traditional casseroles or casseroles such as pochas with 
quail, Rioja-style potatoes, even spicy ones. From the 
garden the stew. Meats: lamb chops with vine shoots, 
game, cold cuts. Fish: cod a la Rioja, fish in the oven. 
Sautéed or stewed bongos, tortillas.