Aster El Espino
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 3 to 10 years from the vintage release, though outstanding vintages can cellar gracefully for up to 15 years.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Slow-roasted lamb shoulder, grilled ribeye steak with rosemary, and mature sheep's milk cheeses such as Manchego.
✨ wine.spec_sheet
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.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1890 by five Basque and Riojan families in the historic Barrio de la Estación of Haro, La Rioja Alta, S.A. stands as one of the ultimate benchmarks of traditional Rioja winemaking. The estate is globally renowned for its uncompromising dedication to long-term oak aging, maintaining an in-house cooperage to craft American oak barrels that impart its signature vanilla and spice character. While deeply rooted in Haro, the group has expanded its viticultural footprint to include exceptional estates in Ribera del Duero and Rías Baixas. Their legendary portfolio, headlined by the iconic Gran Reserva 890, Gran Reserva 904, and Viña Ardanza, represents the pinnacle of elegance, complexity, and extraordinary aging potential.