Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020
Vinous 92 Points | The 2020 Cantos de Valpiedra is 100% Tempranillo sourced from a single vineyard on the Ebro riverbank, in the Cenicero area of Rioja Alta. Aged for 12 months in French and American oak barrels, this garnet wine with a purple sheen presents aromas of sour cherry, sweet cherry and fresh plums over an herbal bed. On the palate, it is dry...Show More >
Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020
Vinous 92 Points | The 2020 Cantos de Valpiedra is 100% Tempranillo sourced from a single vineyard on the Ebro riverbank, in the Cenicero area of Rioja Alta. Aged for 12 months in French and American oak barrels, this garnet wine with a purple sheen presents aromas of sour cherry, sweet cherry and fresh plums over an herbal bed. On the palate, it is dry and taut, with a young mouthfeel offering a granular and reactive texture. Pure in flavors, I anticipate it will settle and evolve with time.
The Wine Advocate 91 Points | The aromatic, fruit-driven and juicy 2020 Cantos de Valpiedra is velvety, clean and modern, with a balanced and tasty palate, contained ripeness, 13.5% alcohol and good freshness. It matured in new barrels for 12 months in the style of a modern Crianza. With time in the glass, it develops an acute note of licorice.
James Suckling 91 Points | A juicy Rioja with vibrant spiced cherries, red plums and stones. Succulent and firm, with fresh and fine-boned tannins and a juicy, exuberant finish. Very well made.
Winemaker Description
Cantos de Valpiedra, made entirely of Tempranillo harvested in mid-September, is fermented in stainless steel tanks with a 16-day maceration, before aging for 12 months in French and American oak barrels. It is a rich, round example of this famous Spanish style. In Finca Valpiedra the soil type is formed by a layer of pebble stones and limestone that give its name to the wines.
VINIFICATION: Fermentation in stainless steel temperature-controlled vats. 16 days maceration.
AGEING: 12 months in French and American barrel.
Intense purple colour with violet glints. Highly aromatic with black fruit and ripe sloe notes. Intense minerality that, together with the vanilla, spice and tobacco notes from the barrel, give the wine a great character.
Oily, rich and intense with a sweetness right across the mouth, showing great finesse. Well-balanced acidity with the alcohol, with the typical “Valpiedra” freshness predominant. A long, cool and mineral finish, with a touch of fine woods.
Vegetables and beans casseroles, hen soup. For meats it goes better with white ones, turkey, sock lamb and pork. It perfectly matches with rice with rabbit and stewed poularde.
Memo Summary Notes
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Food Pairings: Excellent with white meats (turkey, suckling lamb, pork), vegetable stews, legumes, and traditional Spanish dishes like rice with rabbit.
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Drinking Window: Ready to drink now, but will develop beautifully through 2030.
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