Bearing the designation Selección Especial, the 2021 La Rioja Alta “Viña Alberdi” Rioja might just be the finest vintage ever produced. This distinction, rather than the standard Reserva, is awarded for exceptional harvests and has been used only once before, in 2001, making the 2021 a particularly noteworthy release. In line with the classic La Rioja Alta style, this wine ages for two years in American oak barrels coopered on site – the first year is spent in new oak, and then the wine is transferred to seasoned American oak barrels to help the oak aromas integrate into the wine. After bottling, the wine ages for another two years in bottle, as is common for Reserva Rioja. The result is a traditionally-styled Rioja that weaves vibrant aromas of red plum, Bing cherry, blood orange, and dried rose petals with classic notes of vanilla, cedar, sweet tobacco, and baking spice. On the palate, the wine feels silky and supple, with bright acidity carrying layers of juicy raspberry, cranberry, and red plum across a finely textured frame. The oak is seamlessly integrated, contributing subtle hints of coconut, dried herbs, and saddle leather, all without ever overshadowing the purity of the red fruit. There is an effortless elegance here, with gorgeous savory notes emerge on the lingering finish. This is traditional Rioja from one of the greatest wineries in Rioja at its most charming. It is graceful, complex, and highly drinkable. Enjoy it now with everything from grilled lamb to roast chicken, or tuck a few bottles away, as this remarkable 2021 has the balance and structure to reward another decade or more in the cellar.