The Story
There is a new "clarete" pink from the Peñas Aladas vineyard in the village of La Aguilera where they already produce a superb red, and the first vintage to be released is the 2020 Peñas Aladas Clarete sold with a Reserva back label (but the 2019 carries a Gran Reserva back label!). Here, the varietal breakdown is slightly different, with 40% Albillo Mayor, 30% Tempranillo and 30% other varieties from a plot at 870 to 890 meters in altitude. The grapes were vinified together in oak barrels and completed an élevage of 28 months but without malolactic. This will not be produced every vintage (there will be no 2022, for sure, and they are still uncertain about the 2021), and they decided to sell it at the same price as the other clarete. Contrary to what I expected, this is a little darker colored and brighter, with a more fruit-driven and open nose; it's expressive, approachable and more direct and easier to understand than the regular clarete, a more elegant wine with a velvety palate, fine-boned. The palate is serious and fresh, with a little lower alcohol (13.5%) and more freshness with a pH of 3.15. 1,675 bottles and 24 magnums produced and filled in December 2022, a few days before I first tasted it. I tasted it again in April and May 2024, and the wine is aging at a glacial pace.
94 Pts Luis Gutierrez, Robert Parker
Description
There is a new "clarete" pink from the Peñas Aladas vineyard in the village of La Aguilera where they already produce a superb red, and the first vintage to be released is the 2020 Peñas Aladas Clarete sold with a Reserva back label (but the 2019 carries a Gran Reserva back label!). Here, the varietal breakdown is slightly different, with 40% Albillo Mayor, 30% Tempranillo and 30% other varieties from a plot at 870 to 890 meters in altitude. The grapes were vinified together in oak barrels and completed an élevage of 28 months but without malolactic. This will not be produced every vintage (there will be no 2022, for sure, and they are still uncertain about the 2021), and they decided to sell it at the same price as the other clarete. Contrary to what I expected, this is a little darker colored and brighter, with a more fruit-driven and open nose; it's expressive, approachable and more direct and easier to understand than the regular clarete, a more elegant wine with a velvety palate, fine-boned. The palate is serious and fresh, with a little lower alcohol (13.5%) and more freshness with a pH of 3.15. 1,675 bottles and 24 magnums produced and filled in December 2022, a few days before I first tasted it. I tasted it again in April and May 2024, and the wine is aging at a glacial pace.
94 Pts Luis Gutierrez, Robert Parker
