Aster El Espino
⏳ Drinking Window
2024 - 2030
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Slow-roasted lamb shoulder, grilled ribeye steak with rosemary, and mature sheep's milk cheeses such as Manchego.
✨ Technical Specifications
La Rioja Alta, S.A., legendary for its Rioja classics, ventured into the rugged terrain of Ribera del Duero in 1991 to establish Viñedos Aster in the prized subregion of Anguix. Named after a wildflower that blooms during the harvest, Aster represents a bridge between Riojan elegance and the raw power of Castilla y Leon. The El Espino bottling is crafted from 100 percent Tinta del Pais (Tempranillo) grown in high-altitude vineyards situated at 830 meters above sea level. Here, the vines contend with extreme continental temperatures and clay-loam soils, yielding grapes with thick skins and intense concentration. The wine undergoes traditional fermentation followed by aging in French oak barrels, resulting in a dark, muscular red characterized by ripe blackberry, liquorice, and toasted spice, balanced by a refined acidity that is the hallmark of its parent house.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1890 by five visionary Riojan and Basque families in Haro's historic Barrio de la Estación, La Rioja Alta, S.A. stands as one of the most enduring benchmarks of classical Rioja winemaking. Dedicated to uncompromising quality and authentic craftsmanship, the estate maintains its own cooperage to construct custom American oak barrels and continues the traditional practice of manual racking by candlelight. The winery focuses on prime estate vineyards spread across Rioja Alta and Rioja Oriental, highlighting Tempranillo seamlessly blended with Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo. World-renowned for producing wines of remarkable elegance, silky texture, and astonishing longevity, the bodega's legendary pedigree is epitomized by iconic bottlings such as Gran Reserva 890, Gran Reserva 904, and Viña Ardanza.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Tempranillo (Tinto Fino min 75%), Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec