Sierra de Tolono Rioja Tinto 2022
Sierra de TolonoGrape: Tempranillo
Vintage: 2022
Type: Red
This low-intervention red wine serves as Sandra Bravo's signature workhorse bottling, pointing the way to an elegant expression of Rioja Alavesa. Sourced from rocky clay-limestone soils in the Toloño mountains, the hand-picked tempranillo grapes are harvested in mid-October. The winemaking incorporates a completely spontaneous fermentation driven by native wild vineyard yeasts in neutral open vats. The wine undergoes an eight-month maturation period split between old neutral wood barrels and traditional clay amphorae before an unfiltered bottling.
It shows a bright ruby color, releasing focused aromatics of dark plum, wild raspberry, and fresh Mediterranean spices. On the palate, a medium-bodied frame is structured and balanced, pairing concentrated red fruit flavors with an underlying mineral-driven line. Fine-grained, soft tannins provide a smooth framework that coordinates nicely with a clean wave of natural acidity. Savory notes of wet stone add depth across the mid-palate volume. It finishes completely dry, persistent, and clean.