Conde de los Andes Tinto 2004 2004
DOCa Rioja, Spain
Tempranillo (100%) · 2004 · 14% abv
From one of Rioja’s finest vintages, this is a glorious, mature Tempranillo with decades of life still ahead. Layers of dried fig, plum and redcurrant sit alongside earthy truffle, leather, cedar smoke and a flicker of spice. The palate is expansive yet graceful, with vibrant acidity and fine, resolved tannins carrying a finish that seems to go on forever.
Production
Exact historical details remain part of the estate’s mystery, but Tempranillo and time are at the heart of this wine. Extended maturation in oak — followed by years of bottle ageing deep in the 15th-century cellars — has created a wine of remarkable depth and complexity. Decanting before serving allows its many layers to fully unfold.
Vinyard
Fruit is drawn from traditional bush-trained Tempranillo vineyards in Rioja Alta, where limestone-rich clay soils, warm days and cool nights shape grapes of exceptional balance. These classic terroirs, combined with careful vineyard selection, yield fruit with both concentration and freshness — the hallmark of great, ageworthy Rioja.
Pairing
A wine this complex deserves bold, simple food. Serve with grilled lamb cutlets cooked over vine trimmings, slow-roasted game or richly sauced beef cheeks. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses, which mirror the wine’s savoury depth and evolved character.
Ecological Credentials
Not specified