ALTOS DE RIOJA - the bodega in the clouds
Altos R Pigeage Tempranillo
6 bottles – £162 £114 (£19 per bottle)
12 bottles – £324 £228 (£19 per bottle)
Jean-Marc Sauboua is a Bordeaux-born, Trophy-winning winemaker, who first trained at Premier Cru Classé Château Haut Brion. He's made wine for us all over the world, including Château La Clarière in Castillon, Bordeaux, for many years.
In 2006, Jean-Marc Sauboua decided to start a venture of his own in Spain – a tribute to his Spanish mother. He founded a small Rioja bodega, up in the clouds – the highest in the appellation – with the sole aim of making Grand Cru Classé style wines. It’s a very beautiful spot, close to the mountains, with direct access to the very best, cool, high-altitude, old vineyards. Since then, the winery has won over 800 awards, including over 300 Golds and four Trophies.
Jean-Marc's top wine is Altos R Pigeage (pron. Peejarge), which has won over 150 Golds on its own. It's a fine, weighty, ageworthy Rioja of the modern age.
The great attributes of altos
Situated close to the Sierra Cantabria mountains (there's a magnificent view from the tasting room window), Altos is surrounded by the highest vineyards in all of Rioja. At 650 to 750 metres in altitude, the days are hot and sunny, while diurnal temperatures drop by as much as 20°C. That’s the secret to bringing out freshness and vivid aromas … attributes that are prized in the finest Rioja.
Jean-Marc is chief winemaker, but he leaves the very talented Amaia Amestoy in charge. At Master of Wine Tim Atkin's last visit, he wanted to nominate her in his 'Top Young Winemaker of the Year' category, but she was just beyond the age limit!
Amaia has been at Altos four years now and right from the start made her mark, with meticulous attention to detail and organisation. She brought with her experience from working both at Rioja's iconic Marqués de Riscal and Priorat's famous Alvaro Palacios, along with an innate talent in making great wine.
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