In recent years, the Traditional Riojas of CUNE, Murrieta, López de Heredia and Bodegas Riojanas have become prized by connoisseurs, who realize that they are among the planet’s greatest wine treasures.

The model for those wines was created in the late 1800s, under the guidance of winemakers from Bordeaux. But there was an earlier Rioja tradition that made wine on a far smaller scale, allowing vine-by-vine attention to fruit quality, and the inclusion of stems during fermentation and shorter time in larger barrels.

Since 2014, the husband-wife team of Oscar Alegre and Eva Valgañón have embraced this even more ancient tradition. They are part of a select group of small Pre-Traditionalists—others are Telmo Rodriguez and Artuke—who are restoring ancient vineyards and practices.

By working strictly with tiny lots from high-altitude sites, Oscar and Eva are turning out Riojas that capture the best of their beloved land’s 1,000+ year history.

A case in point is their flagship red, the Alegre Valgañón Tinto, from the frost-reduced 2019 vintage. At just $19.17 per bottle by the 6-pack, it turns back the clock in terms of price as well.

Great Vineyards
Irrespective of winemaking philosophy, the key to great wine lies in the vineyard, and Oscar and Eva are blessed with superb sites—all lying just west of Haro, in the shadow of the Obarenes Mountains. This area has long been revered by producers for the freshness and flavor persistence they provide.

These high-elevation sites are key to the beautiful balance of their 2019 Tinto. In this great year, Oscar’s and Eva’s grapes achieved surreal balance, thanks to their higher altitude, limestone rich marl and sandstone soils, and cooling mountain breezes.

And through their ancient methods, Oscar and Eva have crafted a 2019 Tinto for which View from the Cellar's John Gilman projects an incredible 60 years of longevity! That is unheard-of for a red wine in its price range.

Bringing Back Whole Clusters
While once the norm, whole-cluster winemaking is today nearly unheard-of in Rioja. Oscar and Eva are restoring that tradition, inspired by how the best Northern Rhône traditionalists routinely get greater purity and expressiveness by including ripe stems.

To that end, Oscar and Eva macerate their Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes in wooden vats for at least 30 days, using a minimum of 25% whole clusters. Aging is in a mixture of used French barriques and demi-muid for 18 months. The result is a blend of vivid fruit and intense mouthfeel uncommon in Rioja today.

Shipped directly from the domaine’s cellar in our own temperature-controlled container, this 2019 Tinto offers an outstanding wine-drinking experience, yet at a bargain price.

If you love red wine that not only purely expresses its territory and traditions— but also drinks like a much more expensive wine—we urge you to grab some at this bargain price.