Vintus

Lanzaga, Rioja

The Rioja vineyards for Telmo Rodriguez’ wines are in the cool Lanciego zone within Rioja Alavesa. It is here, on the clay and calcerous slopes, that some of the most interesting vineyards of Rioja coexist with hundred year old olive groves. Descendents of the same families that pruned these vines over two centuries still work in the bush vine vineyards, using the same methods of cultivation. Telmo’s wines come from a combination of estate vineyards (and in the case of Altos de Lanzaga, exclusively estate vineyards), and those of growers in the area who cultivate under Telmo’s supervision.  Lanzaga, the middle Telmo wine from Rioja, exhibits the character of the Lanciego vineyard’s fruit: a beautiful cohabitation of strength and elegance.

• 2008 Vintage

  Lanzaga combines pure and intense fruit with a lovely elegance.  A blend of 90% Tempranillo, 7% Garnacha, and 3% Graciano, the grapes for Lanzaga come from slopes that are protected from erosion by the vineyard plantings. The vineyards are placed between 500 and 600 meters of altitude on plateaus over continental Miocene sandstone strata. These flat, stony, shallow soils offer low fertility and low water retention capacity, and force the bush-trained vines to struggle, ensuring low yields. After harvest, the wine is fermented in cement tanks and matured for 14 months in French oak foudres and new barrels.

  • "The 2008 Lanzaga was sourced from a biodynamically farmed Rioja Alavesa vineyard and is also a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Graciano aged in oak of various sizes for 14 months. It is a more brooding offering with enough structure to merit an additional 2-3 years of bottle age." 90 Points Wine Advocate

  • "Supple in texture and complex in flavor, this is a firm, well balanced Rioja with fine depth and character. Finishes with light tannin and modest oakiness. In aroma/flavor, it tastes of spicy oak, cherry, pepper, tobacco, and red licorice. Excellent. 90% Tempranillo, 7% Garnacha, 3% Graciano.  Aged 14 months in oak barrels and casks, partially new."  4+ Stars Restaurant Wine Magazine

• 2007 Vintage

  Lanzaga combines pure and intense fruit with a lovely elegance.  A blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Graciano, the grapes for Lanzaga come from slopes that are protected from erosion by the vineyard plantings. The vineyards are placed between 500 and 600 meters of altitude on plateaus over continental Miocene sandstone strata. These flat, stony, shallow soils offer low fertility and low water retention capacity, and force the bush-trained vines to stuggle, ensuring low yields. After harvest, the wine is fermented in cement tanks and matured for 14 months in oak foudres and barrels.

  • "Saturated ruby.  Sappy redcurrant and cherry-vanilla aromas are complicated by licorice, smoke and underbrush.  Supple and sweet, with a musky quality to its red fruit and floral flavors.  Gains smokiness with air and finishes with very good chewy persistence." 90 Points International Wine Cellar

  • "Blue fruit scents introduce this international-style red. Minerality contrasts that sweet richness, grounding it with earthy character and a sense of place - without referencing any traditional style of Rioja. A firm steakhouse red." 90 Points Wine & Spirits Magazine

• 2006 Vintage

  Lanzaga exhibits the character of the Lanciego vineyard’s fruit: a beautiful cohabitation of strength and elegance. A blend of 95% Tempranillo, 3% Garnacha, and 2% Graciano, the grapes for Lanzaga come from slopes that are protected from erosion by the vineyard plantings. The vineyards are placed between 500 and 600 meters of altitude on plateaus over continental Miocene sandstone strata. These flat, stony, shallow soils offer low fertility and low water retention capacity, and force the bush-trained vines to stuggle, ensuring low yields. After harvest, the wine is fermented in cement tanks and matured for 14 months in oak foudres and then French oak barrels.

  • “The oak aged red wines begin with the 2006 Lanzaga, made from 100% Rioja Tempranillo and aged for 14 months in foudre followed by 6 months in barrique. Captivating aromas of wood smoke, spice box, incense, violets, and black cherry lead to a medium to full-bodied, fresh lively wine with plenty of succulent fruit, excellent balance, a bit of structure, and a lengthy, pure finish. Although it is likely to evolve for 1-2 years, it can be approached now.” 91 Points Wine Advocate

• 2005 Vintage

  The Tempranillo grapes for Lanzaga and Altos de Lanzaga come from slopes that are protected from erosion by the vineyard plantings. The wine is vinified by native yeasts in large cement casks, and then spends 14 months in a combination of foudres and seasoned barrels.

  • “Inky ruby-red. Black cherry and cassis on the nose, with tobacco and floral notes adding interest. Quite juicy, with firm cherry and berry skin flavors, dusty tannins and building oak spice and vanilla character to go with the sweet dark fruits on the finish.” 91 Points International Wine Cellar

  • “This Rioja could serve as a spice rub for lamb, its acidity as fresh and tart as a grape tomato. The texture absorbs that acidity and spice and melds it into potent raspberry flavor, youthfully aligned with the red color of the wine. This is round and supple, suited to five or six years of bottle age.” 91 Points Wine & Spirits Magazine

  • "The palate has a tight but nice feel to it, with fine tannic structure propping up plum, blackberry and chocolate flavors. Some expected mocha and coffee work the finish, but mostly it closes long and natural. For modern Rioja, this is well built and satisfying." 91 Points Wine Enthusiast

  • "The 2005 Langaza was matured for 14 in months in large oak and then barriques. It has a quality bouquet of cedar, pencil lead, incense, and blackberry." 90+ Points Wine Advocate