Alvar de Dios - Camino de los Arrieros 2020
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Price: $34.99
Sale Price: $26.89
Producer | Alvar de Dios |
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Country | Spain |
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Region | Arribes |
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Varietal | Blend |
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Vintage | 2020 |
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Sku | 19040 |
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Size | 750ml |
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Looking for a rich, dense, lush hedonistic bomb?
Then stop reading – this wine is NOT for you.
“Okay, Todd… we know what it isn’t… now how ‘bout a little more info…”
This gem comes from the little-known appellation of Arribes, specifically the town of Villadepera (pop. 282), located just 4 miles from the Portuguese border. Like pretty much every other good winemaker, Alvar de Dios was looking for old vines. In this little middle-of-nowhere, then a little further, town he found them! He has cobbled together 12 acres of vineyards spread out over 22 (!!!) different plots.
“Tempranillo???”
Well, no… according to Alvar, this wine is composed of “Trincadeira, Bastardo, Mandon, Mencia, Rufete, Gajo Arroba, Tinta Jeromo, Garnacha and Juan Garcia as well as several other lesser-known ones.”
Lesser-known ones? Surely that must be said with a wink!
So let’s just cut to the heart of the matter, then… this gem says a friendly “Hello” with aromas of cherries, blackberry and lavender. The fruit is ripe, but not overripe… just perfect! At first, the wine is soft and silky, but there are some lingering tannins on the finish. Not steak-worthy tannins… just a fine, polished touch of them to provide some structure. Luis Guitierrez of Wine Advocate writes, the wine shows “purity, delineation, balance, elegance and freshness.” There’s a hint of earthiness underneath… hard to place… ooh… UMAMI. It’s not a flavor, just a sense of savory deliciousness! As Google’s Generative AI says, “it spreads across the tongue, it lasts longer than other basic tastes, and it provides a mouthwatering sensation.”
Offering a little bit of everything to act as a foil and a complementary agent with dinner, I am absolutely in love! I had it open with 5 other Spanish reds, served with a sausage and shrimp paella. Guess which bottle was drained while the others were barely touched?
Wine Advocate: 93 Points
Vintages and ratings subject to change at any time.
All pricing and availability subject to change.
Artwork does not necessarily represent items for sale.