2022 Aalto PS

The 2022 Aalto PS is one of Ribera del Duero’s modern icons: a powerful yet polished red that showcases the depth and elegance of old-vine Tempranillo. Crafted only from the estate’s finest plots, this is a cellar-worthy Spanish wine built for both intensity and refinement. For collectors and serious enthusiasts, Aalto PS represents the bold, luxurious side of Ribera at its best.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2022 Aalto PS shows a dense, almost opaque purple-black core with a vibrant garnet rim, signaling both youth and concentration. The nose is layered and expressive: ripe blackberries and black cherries mingle with notes of plum compote, graphite, violet, dark chocolate, espresso, and fine new French oak, all framed by a subtle touch of sweet spice and smoky mineral. On the palate, this is full-bodied and richly textured, with a deep core of black fruit—cassis, blackberry, and black plum—supported by firm but beautifully polished tannins. Flavors of cocoa, licorice, clove, and toasted cedar unfold gradually, balanced by a fresh, lifted acidity that keeps the wine from feeling heavy. The finish is long, savory, and precise, with lingering notes of dark fruit and spice. Still very youthful in 2022, Aalto PS has significant aging potential; it will reward patience over 10–20 years, steadily gaining complexity, softness, and tertiary nuances of leather, tobacco, and truffle.

Production
Aalto PS (Pagos Seleccionados) is produced exclusively from meticulously selected old-vine Tempranillo (Tinto Fino) parcels in prime sites across Ribera del Duero, where poor, rocky soils and significant diurnal temperature swings yield intensely flavored, small-berried grapes. The vines often sit at higher altitudes, benefiting from cool nights that preserve acidity and aromatic freshness in this naturally powerful region. Harvest is done by hand, parcel by parcel, with strict selection both in the vineyard and at the winery to ensure only the very best fruit makes it into the PS cuvée. Vinification is tailored to extract depth and structure without harshness, typically involving temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel or small tanks, followed by an extended élevage—commonly around 18–21 months—in predominantly new French oak barrels. This careful, detail-driven approach results in a wine of great concentration, precision, and longevity.

Food & Serving
The 2022 Aalto PS calls for rich, flavourful cuisine that can stand up to its power and complexity. It is superb alongside grilled or charcoal-roasted lamb, ribeye steak, Iberico pork, game dishes (venison, wild boar), or slow-braised short ribs. Mature hard cheeses such as Manchego curado or aged Comté also work beautifully with its dark fruit and spice. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for optimal balance between fruit expression and structure. In its youth, decanting for 2–3 hours is highly recommended to allow the wine to open and soften; as it matures, a shorter decant of about 1 hour is usually sufficient, mainly to separate any sediment and let the bouquet fully blossom.

Producer
Bodegas Aalto was founded in 1999 by Mariano García, the former long-time winemaker at Vega Sicilia, together with Javier Zaccagnini, with the clear ambition of crafting world-class wines from Ribera del Duero’s finest old vineyards. From the outset, Aalto focused on Tempranillo from exceptional, low-yielding parcels scattered across the appellation, blending terroirs to achieve complexity, balance, and depth. Today, Aalto is widely regarded as one of the leading modern producers in Ribera del Duero, consistently receiving high praise from international critics and collectors alike. The PS cuvée, sourced from the very best ‘pagos’ in the estate’s holdings, stands at the top of the range and has helped cement Aalto’s reputation as a benchmark for powerful yet finely crafted Spanish red wine.

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