My Account Drop Down Navigation

My Account Link

Account

Order History Link

Order History

Taste Preferences Link

Taste Preferences

Beyond the Label Link

Beyond the Label

Sustanability.org Logo

Responsibility.org - Proud Corporate Partner

Responsibility.org Logo

Site Config - NPR

Phone Number Link

1-800-649-4637

Email Link

Email

Contact Us Footer Navigation Links

Contact Us

About Link

About

Terms & Conditions Link

Terms & Conditions

Gift Cards Terms & Conditions Link

Gift Cards Terms & Conditions

Accessibility Statement Link

Accessibility Statement

Drink Responsibly Link

Drink Responsibly

Company Footer Navigation Links

Company

Help & FAQs Link

Help & FAQs

Ordering & Payment Link

Ordering & Payment

Shipping & Delivery Link

Shipping & Delivery

Account Questions Link

Account Questions

Wine Club Link

Wine Club

Guarantee & Returns Link

Guarantee & Returns

Trade & Media Link

Trade & Media

Business Inquiries Link

Business Inquiries

NPR Member Stations Link

NPR Member Stations

Your Cookie Settings

Customer Support Footer Navigation Links

Customer Support

Site Navigation Tabs

BROWSE ALL WINES PRIMARY BUTTON 

BROWSE ALL WINES

Memberships

Mixed Cases

All Wine

Gifts

SALE

Instagram Link

instagram

Facebook link

facebook

Proudly bearing an impressive list of awards, Jean-Marc Sauboua’s prestigious Rioja is simply unmissable. Secure 12 bottles of the 2019 now, plus an annual 6-bottle allocation of each future vintage—always at the best price and with no obligation.

Altos R Pigeage 2019 Vineyard Partnership (12btls)

“Quite a full-bodied Rioja with lots of truffles and savory dark berries that extend to the very long finish.”

Proudly bearing an incredibly impressive list of awards—including multiple 90+ point scores and gold medals—Jean-Marc Sauboua’s barrel-aged Tempranillo-Graciano blend brims with ripe red berry and vanilla-spice notes.

Winemaker Jean-Marc Sauboua may have perfected his craft at Bordeaux’s famed Château Haut Brion, but he has Rioja in his blood (it is his mother’s homeland, after all). Alongside talented head winemaker Amaia Amestoy, he makes brilliant wines at his highly awarded Altos de Rioja estate.

Situated among the Sierra Cantabria Mountains, Altos is surrounded by the highest vineyards in all of Rioja. At 1,900 to 2,200 feet in altitude, the days are hot and sunny, while temperatures drop by as much as 68 degrees Fahrenheit between day and night. That’s the secret to bringing out freshness and vivid aromas…attributes that are prized in the finest Rioja.

Pigeage is Altos’ flagship red, crafted with grapes from a plot of 80-year-old Tempranillo and Graciano vines in the premium district of Rioja Alavesa. These miserly old vines yield tiny grapes that deliver a wonderfully distinctive, pure intensity.

To showcase all that flavor character and draw out deep color with velvety texture, Amaia employed the pigeage technique in the cellar (a traditional Burgundian method of fermenting in open vats and gently plunging down the grape skins, repeatedly). Then, they treat the wine to a generous period of aging in barrels from three of France’s finest coopers (Taransaud, Saury and François Frères) plus top-quality American Canton oak. After multiple tastings from barrel over the course of 15 months, quality-obsessed Amaia and Jean-Marc were hugely pleased, and released this gem to unbelievable acclaim.

This exceptional 2019 certainly lives up to its legacy, having already won multiple gold medals, plus 97 points from two top Spanish competitions, 94 points from critic James Suckling and 92 points from Master of Wine Tim Atkin.

Atkin praised the “structure, depth and intensity,” while James Suckling noted the deeply complex palate. “Blueberries and blackberries, together with lots of vanilla and walnuts, as well as hints of refined, savory balsamic and tobacco. Quite a full-bodied Rioja with lots of truffles, tobacco and savory dark berries that extend to the very long finish.”
 
While that aging qualifies for Reserva labeling (by Rioja’s strict wine laws), all the extra care makes for a Gran Reserva experience: a smoothness, deep concentration and ability to develop beautifully for decades. But it also has the flair of a Grand Cru Classé from Bordeaux. As Jean-Marc likes to say, it’s “fine Rioja with a French passport.”

As with all fine wines, we recommend decanting 60 minutes before serving to release its full aromas and flavors.
 
Don't miss your opportunity to taste an stunning wine from a truly special corner of Rioja.

Altos R Pigeage Tempranillo

hierarchicalCategories.lvl0

Altos R Pigeage 2019 Vineyard Partnership (12btls)

Case Contents

Altos R Pigeage Tempranillo 2019

Wine Details

Flavor Profile