Bodegas Luis Alegre is situated in the heart of the Alavesa region of Rioja near the town of Laguardia, the regional capital. It was founded by Sr. Luis Alegre in 1968 and he was joined in the late '90s by a group of Spanish wine enthusiasts dedicated to quality modern winemaking. The winery's mission is to make high quality wines for restaurants, specialist retailers and collectors - these are not mass-market wines but wines which respect the traditions of Rioja whilst embracing the best that new technology and techniques have to offer.
Alegre own 50 hectares of vineyards, all over 30 years old, at 12 separate sites in Alava and carefully manage a further 30 hectares under contract.The spectacular bodega is a modern circular design on four levels using gravity where possible to move fruit and juice and minimise handling. Great care is taken at all stages with emphasis on using only the best fruit, hence extensive use of the grape sorting tables. Oak is sourced from Vosges, Hungary and America and the freshly cut staves are brought directly to the Bodega to be dried over a period of 18-36 months. During this time the oak is subject to painstaking and unique analysis to ensure that the right oak is used with the right wine.
The wines are principally Tempranillo, with the addition of Graciano, Garnacha and Mazuelo to add character to the blend.
A true expression of both the varieties used and the way in which the wine is aged. The nose has spice, notes of cep, damson and vibrant red fruits, and evolved layers emerging as the wine opens up. The palate is firm, yet fleshy showing good balance and clean, line, the evidence of great care being taken in the winery.
A full robust example of what Tempranillo can do if not subjected to the ageing laws of Rioja. The fruit would normally be used for the Grand Reserva, but in order to retain the youthful fruit concentration the wine spend less time maturing in oak (up to 18 months rather than three years). It has a solid core of black fruit, brooding spice and ripe, complex tannins.