Aalto Bodegas y Vinedos, S.A.

Although not the most expensive, Aalto is (in my opinion) the best and most reliable producer in the whole region, if not the whole of Spain. The winery was set up in 2000 by legendary Mariano Garcia and Javier Zaccagnini and they seem to be the winning team. The grapes come from over 60 small parcels, which are spread around the best villages in Ribera (La Horra, Agillera, Banos). Most of these are over 45 years old, with production of less than 30hl/ha. For for those of you who are interested in facts, Ch Latour’s average production is 45 hl/ha).  Different parcels are vinified and matured separately for 18 – 24 months in a mixture of French and American oak (50% new) depending on the vintage. This is a real legend in the making and there is no doubt that the bodega seems to be achieving higher and higher levels of complexity and finesse with every new year. The wines are already sold on allocation.