2021 Aalto PS

The 2021 Aalto PS is one of Ribera del Duero’s benchmark reds, crafted from some of the oldest and finest Tempranillo vines in the region. PS stands for “Pagos Seleccionados” – selected plots – a nod to the meticulous vineyard selection that underpins this powerful yet refined wine. In the exceptional 2021 vintage, Aalto PS combines depth, precision, and aging potential in a way that fully justifies its reputation as one of Spain’s modern icons.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2021 Aalto PS shows an opaque, inky purple core with a vivid, youthful rim, signaling both concentration and freshness. The nose is layered and complex: ripe blackberries, black plum, and blueberry compote are framed by notes of violets, cocoa, licorice, toasted spice, and high‑quality French oak, with subtle hints of graphite and mineral undertones. With air, more savory nuances emerge – tobacco leaf, pencil shavings, and a touch of balsamic. On the palate, this is full-bodied and richly textured, yet remarkably balanced. Dense black fruit is wrapped in fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity that keeps the wine lively rather than heavy. Flavors of dark cherry, blackberry, and cassis mingle with dark chocolate, espresso, sweet spice, and a long, mineral-laced finish. The oak is present but polished, clearly built to integrate over time. While already impressive in its youth, the structure and concentration suggest excellent aging potential: 10–20 years in a good cellar, with the wine gaining complexity, silkier texture, and more tertiary notes over time.

Production
Aalto PS is sourced from a selection of old-vine Tempranillo (locally known as Tinto Fino) parcels in some of Ribera del Duero’s most prized zones, particularly around La Horra and nearby villages, where high altitude, poor soils of limestone, clay, and sand, and marked diurnal temperature shifts yield grapes of exceptional intensity and balance. The vines are typically 60 to 90 years old, naturally low-yielding, and harvested by hand in small crates to preserve fruit integrity. After a rigorous sorting, fermentation takes place in stainless steel or small tanks with temperature control to capture purity of fruit and structure. The wine is then aged predominantly in new French oak barrels for an extended period (often around 18–22 months), allowing it to gain complexity, texture, and finesse before a careful bottling with minimal intervention.

Food & Serving
This is a serious gastronomic wine, best paired with rich, flavorful dishes that can stand up to its intensity. Think dry-aged ribeye, grilled lamb chops with rosemary, slow-braised beef cheeks, Iberico pork, or game such as venison. It also pairs beautifully with hearty stews, roasted root vegetables, wild mushrooms, and mature hard cheeses like Manchego curado or aged Comté. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in generous Bordeaux-style glasses. Decanting is strongly recommended: give it 1–2 hours if drinking young to allow the tannins to soften and the aromatics to unfurl; older bottles (10+ years) may need a gentler, shorter decant primarily to separate any sediment.

Producer
Founded in 1999 by the late Mariano García, the legendary former winemaker of Vega Sicilia, Aalto quickly rose to prominence as one of Ribera del Duero’s most respected and sought-after producers. Based in Quintanilla de Arriba, the estate focuses almost exclusively on Tempranillo from carefully chosen old vineyards scattered across the region, with the goal of expressing Ribera’s depth and complexity through modern yet restrained winemaking. Aalto PS represents the pinnacle of the winery’s work each year, sourced from its best and oldest plots. Over the past two decades, Aalto has earned international acclaim, consistently high scores from leading wine critics, and a place among Spain’s top red wine producers, helping to define the contemporary style of Ribera del Duero on the global stage.