2019 Pedro Martínez Alesanco Rioja

Based in the Southern Rioja Alta village of Badarán, Martínez Alesanco is a bodega producing expressive, regionally specific wines at very reasonable prices. They are entirely self reliant in grapes, all of which are grown in their home village of Badarán, one of the coldest zones of Rioja Alta. The vineyards are closer to the Sierra de la Demanda mountains, a range whose elevation and snow-covered peaks are even more dramatic than the Sierra Cantabria range to the north. This is made from 100% Tempranillo grown in iron rich clay soils. In fact, this red tinged, iron laden clay mark the wines as noticeably as they do the homes and structures of this off the beaten path, soulful Rioja village. With Badarán's unique cooler climate, this young Rioja shows bright, focused mixed berry fruits with great cut and purity. Fermented with indigenous yeasts, tank aged, and always treated very gently (just a light filtration here), this is a "joven" style red that speaks to its unique terroir.