V.L.A.V. Vino Tinto 2022

Wine description for V.L.A.V. Vino Tinto 2022 by Tentenublo

Colour & appearance

Bright purple with delicate violet reflections, a subtle haze and a slightly lightening rim in red nuances.

Nose

The opening is dark and focused, shaped by plums, damsons, blueberries and blackcurrant. Ripe rosehip brings warmth, followed by fine notes of Darjeeling tea, eucalyptus and fresh mint. A cool limestone aromatic character combines with accents of dark chocolate, liquorice and delicate violets.

Palate

On the palate, dense, fine-grained tannins reveal a gripping texture, carried by a juicy, mouth-watering acidity. The fruit remains slender while the wine plays out the contrast between fresh liveliness and clear structure. No opulent over-extraction here, but rather a focused, immensely drinkable flow.

Finish

The finish resonates with bright, spicy nuances, underpinned by a fine, discreet fruit sweetness and persistent freshness.

Terroir & origin

Sourced from the windswept high-altitude vineyard sites of the Rioja Alavesa near Viñaspre (municipality of Lanciego). The plots lie at 600–620 metres above sea level on barren calcareous marl and sandstone. The cool weather conditions ensure a distinctly taut, mineral style.

Grape variety & vinification

A cuvée of Grenache, Viura and Tempranillo. Vinification follows ancient tradition (cosechero style) – spontaneously fermented with native yeasts, partly worked with whole bunches and aged in used wooden casks and concrete.

Special features

Roberto Oliván leaves open what exactly the four letters V.L.A.V. stand for; his website reads “Vinos de Viñaspre. Vinos Libres.” Here he has reinterpreted the region’s historical winemaking tradition, creating an immensely fresh, authentic everyday wine far removed from the classic dictate of wood.