critic reviews
The 2022 Aalto from Ribera del Duero was aged in barrels of varying origin and age. Aromas of cedar, caramel and ripe fruit open the nose, followed by cherry, balsamic herbs and a hint of wildflowers and underbrush. The palate is broad and creamy, with oak defining the profile while moderate tannins reveal the fruit. A balanced, polished expression of modern Ribera.
The 2022 Aalto has a dark color and a very smoky nose with meaty notes (smoky bacon?), ripe dark berry fruit (a little too ripe for me this year) and abundant herbs and is quite spicy. This is the prototype Aalto, ripe (15% alcohol), powerful, concentrated and generously oaked but with stuffing and power and the balance to resolve the tannins and age for a long time in bottle. It has a marked profile that will not please those in search of a light and fresh red. This is a thoroughbred Ribera. 330,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2024.