Nestled amongst the chalky slopes of Mount Yoar, in northern Spain’s Sierra Cantabria mountain range, is the small town of Bargota. Home to the Llorens family and Bodegas Biurko Gorri, this town and the adjacent vineyards are an ideal location to make wine. The high altitude, poor soils, and great day-night temperature fluctuations combined with the family’s painstakingly holistic farming techniques allow the Llorens family to harvest the finest grapes for their Arbanta. The vines are 15 to 20 years old and farmed organically.
The Llorens family has been farming these vineyards for generations so they take great pride in the fruit of their vines and great care in their winemaking process. Unlike many producers in Rioja they utilize temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel; they produce a wine that is as true to the original fruit as possible. They do not cover up the tempranillo character with new oak. In our opinion, it is so hard to find an entry level Rioja that isn't a cherry + vanilla flabby fruit bomb. This wine actually says Rioja when many at this price point just say "we did it the easy way and made it taste like coca cola."
Let us preface this with, the wine has a modern approach, in the sense that it has no oak what-so-ever (traditionalists in Rioja believe oak is the only way). It is meant to be had young, taste fresh and be just a mid-weight wine. It is delightful in that it tastes like tempranillo and better yet, Rioja. The Wine Advocate has this to say about the 2009 vintage "..dark ruby-colored, it gives up aromas of spice box, violets, and black cherry. Vibrant on the palate with plenty of natural acidity balanced by loads of fruit, this superb value will provide pleasure over the next 3 years." And pleasure after you've shoveled out your driveway finally.
2009 Rioja "Arbanta" $15 a bottle
