Compañon Arrieta Rioja Alavesa Herrigoia Tinto 2020
Grapes: Tempranillo, Viura, and Malvasia
Region: Rioja, Spain
Appellation: Rioja
Features: Organic
From 10 different micro plots within 10ha of certified organic estate vineyards in the town of Lanciego (Rioja Alavesa), this is a field blend of red and white grapes on calcareous clay soils with high iron content. Typically around 80-90% Tempranillo, the remaining 10-20% is a mix of Viura and Malvasia. Grapes are hand harvested, carbonic maceration in open concrete tanks begins (which is not a fad here it's actually native to this region) and the wine ferments in the tank with spontaneous yeast for 7-9 days before pressing. Aging continues in concrete tanks for a minimum of 3 months before being bottled slightly clarified (with pea powder!), unfiltered, with only low SO2 at bottling. Annual production is around 20,000 bottles.