The 2018 Crianza was produced with 93% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacha and 2% Viura and bottled at 13% alcohol, a little lower than the 2015 vintage that I also tasted. It matured in used barrels for 23 months. It was a more challenging year with rain and heat and some fungal diseases—they had to work. The grapes have a lot of acidity, and there are some more herbal notes; it's a cooler wine, with finesse and notes of fresh blood. It's different from the others, with citrus freshness, grainy tannins and I think good potential for aging in bottle. 14,000 bottles were filled in June 2021.
Bodega Akutain is a family winery in Rioja with many years of experience producing quality classic red wines. At the end of the 1970s, the family bought their first vineyard, La Manzanera, in Haro where the winery is currently located. They have always worked following a ‘château winemaking style’ and only use the grapes from their own vineyards to produce wines.
Following classic, traditional methods, Bodega Akutain use neither...
