David Sampedro and his wife, Melanie Hickman own and run this 9.5 hectare biodynamic estate around the village of Elvillar in the Rioja Alavesa where limestone soils meander through three valleys that run between the Sierra Cantabria mountains and the River Ebro. 3.5 hectares of their property is made up of single vineyard sites, elaborated under the banner ‘Struggling Vines’. Their mission is to rescue plots of old vines, work them manually and with all the soil work being done with the use of a horse.
Producer
Bodegas Bhilar
Tasting Notes
An alternative Rioja style, deep and slightly savoury, mushroom and earthiness. Big structure, and nothing like the vanilla bombs of some premium Riojas. Match with red meat or game, or stick in the cellar for 10 years and it will evolve beautifully.