Altos de la Guardia Crianza Rioja 2020
3.8 (272)
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Crafted at one of the Rioja region’s most renowned wineries, Altos de la Guardia Crianza was aged for 14 months in fine French oak barrels. Brimming with ripe dark fruit and floral-spice notes, it’s perfect for grilled lamb or charcuterie plates.
Wine Details
- Red - Full Bodied
- Spain
- Tempranillo
- 14.5% ABV
- December 31, 2028
Flavor Profile
Wine Flavor Profile
Altos de la Guardia Crianza is a medium-bodied red wine with aromas of soft red berries, leather and hints of licorice. The palate is rich with strawberry and cherry notes, plus hints of baking spice and toasty vanilla. Long, velvety-smooth finish.Wine Food Pairings
Beef, pork, firm cheeses, red-sauced pastas, vegetarian meals.Beyond the Label
Rioja is Spain’s premier wine region—and this special release hails from top boutique Altos de Rioja. Founded by Château Haut Brion-trained winemaker Jean-Marc Sauboua, and led today by head winemaker Amaia Amestoy (below), Altos is known for its quality-driven approach (and has won literally hundreds of awards to prove it).
For Altos de la Guardia Crianza, Amaia and her team sourced the grapes from an old patch of premium Tempranillo vines (planted 40+ years ago). In the cellar, she aged the wine for 14 months in fine French oak barrels. The results speak for the themselves—the wine has won multiple 90-point scores and medals already, including a gold from a top French competition.
Crianza, by the way, is the juicy, vibrant style you’re most likely to see a local Riojan enjoying with their own dinner. Start the evening with a charcuterie plate, then try grilled lamb, roasted pork or a Spanish-inspired stew with chorizo, roasted red peppers and garlic.
Amaia prefers to make her wines in small batches—the mark of a quality-conscious winemaker. Order quickly to ensure you get to taste this special release.
