Vineyards and winemaking
This Rioja Crianza is a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha and 5% Mazuelo from old vines in Rioja Alta. Clay-limestone soils and the vineyards’ position between the Sierra de Cantabria and Sierra de la Demanda encourage ripe fruit with the acidity needed for balance and graceful development.
Hand-picked grapes are destemmed, gently pressed and fermented in small, temperature-controlled vats. Maturation lasts 12 months in French and American oak, followed by at least six months in bottle. Presented in magnum, the larger volume allows the wine to evolve more slowly once cellared.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Lustrous cherry red, deepening to ruby at the centre with the first suggestion of garnet at the edge.
Nose
Ripe cherry and red plum open into dried herbs, vanilla pod and sweetly scented oak spice.
Palate
Smooth and energetic, with red berry and plum fruit framed by fine tannins. Fresh acidity keeps the palate poised, while notes of cedar, clove and liquorice build towards a savoury finish. The magnum format offers excellent potential for steady, measured development.
Food pairing
An ideal large-format red for a shared table: pair it with roast rib of beef, slow-cooked shoulder of lamb, a generously filled meat paella, or wild-mushroom pie. A board of Manchego and mature British cheeses will carry it comfortably into the end of the meal.
Background story
Alcaudón belongs to the Clípeo wine project in Rioja Alta, where oenologist Juan Carlos Sancha works with Eduardo, Miguel and Javier. Their focus on old vines and careful cellar work gives the range a clear connection to the lower Najerilla landscape.
Magnums are more than a celebratory format: the lower ratio of oxygen to wine generally encourages slower maturation. For this 2020 Crianza, that makes the larger bottle well suited both to generous gatherings now and to further cellar ageing.
