The 2019 Finca Martelo comes from property planted with a blend of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Mazuelo, Garnacha and Viura at 630 meters in altitude that they only bottle in very good or excellent years. The 2019 was picked starting October 15th, and the destemmed grapes were put through optical sorting, a five-day cold soak and then fermented in stainless steel and went through malolactic in new French and American oak barrels. The élevage was in 80% American and 20% French oak barrels and lasted for two years, during which time it was racked four times. 2019 feels like a very complete harvest for Martelo; the wine is very harmonious and balanced, with power and freshness, intensity and persistence. The palate is surprisingly fresh, medium-bodied and fine-boned, clean and elegant. 80,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2022.
94+ points, Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate (Feb 2024)
Though the winery's name may be La Rioja Alta, this wine comes from Alavesa, grown at a parcel of 60-year-old vines at the Torre de Oña estate, in La Rioja Alta's stable since 1995. Organically farmed at 2,060 feet in elevation, this 2019 leans into scents of rhubarb grown in a barnyard, with the horses there to fertilize it. The fruit has a cool red-berry granita character and a lasting floral grape skin finish. An intriguing old-fashioned Rioja to decant for grilled lamb.
93 points, Wine & Spirits (Dec 2023)
Scented and expressive nose with fresh cherries, plums, strawberries, stones, mussels and fine sweet spices. Fresh, juicy and medium-bodied on the palate with chalky tannins and a long, linear finish. 95% tempranillo and 5% mazuelo, garnacha and viura. Very drinkable. Already approachable, but can hold, too.
93 points, Zekun Shuai, James Suckling (Aug 2023)
The 2019 Reserva Finca Martelo is a blend of 95% Tempranillo with 5% Mazuelo, Garnacha and a dash of Viura from Rioja Alavesa. It aged for 24 months in American oak (80%) and French oak (20%). Displaying a garnet hue, the aromas include cherry and sour cherry, along with blueberry and licorice notes, complemented by hints of vanilla and caramel. Indulgent, with fine-grained tannins, the delicate palate lingers long, concluding with a flavorful finish. This wine represents a distinctive and tasty Rioja style.
92 points, Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous (Apr 2024)
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