Alaya Tierra – Almansa D.O.

Assemblage

100% Garnacha Tintorera

Alcohol content

15.5%

Tasting notes

Colour: exceptionally deep dark red, almost opaque, with intense purple and black nuances.

Nose: very concentrated and complex with aromas of ripe blackberries, black berries, blueberries and plum compote. Behind this, notes of pure chocolate, roasted coffee beans, licorice and cedarwood unfold, complemented by subtle nuances of menthol and warm spices.

Palate: exceptionally full, powerful and concentrated. Ripe black fruit forms the foundation, supported by notes of cacao, coffee and spice. Despite its impressive intensity, the wine has a velvety structure, with ripe tannins and sufficient freshness to keep the whole in balance. The finish is exceptionally long and persistent.

Structure

A very full, powerful red wine with an exceptional fruit concentration and a broad, rich structure.

The Garnacha Tintorera provides the deep colour, intensity and concentrated dark fruit. The ripe tannins give the wine structure, while the extended oak ageing adds extra complexity and roundness.

Through the combination of fruit concentration, tannins, alcohol and freshness, Alaya Tierra has a distinctly powerful character.

Ageing

After fermentation, Alaya Tierra is aged for approximately 15 months in oak barrels, primarily made of French oak, complemented by a smaller proportion of American oak.

This extended ageing contributes to the development of complex aromas of cacao, roasted coffee, vanilla, cedarwood and spices. At the same time, the oak ageing helps to further refine the wine's powerful structure.

Ageing & Potential

Alaya Tierra is a wine with considerable ageing potential. The combination of concentrated fruit, ripe tannins and a firm structure allows for further development in the bottle.

Under good storage conditions, the wine can be stored for approximately 10 to 15 years after the harvest, depending on the vintage.

During further bottle ageing, the intense fruit aromas can develop towards dried fruit, leather, tobacco, cacao and earthy nuances.

Serving tip: decant the wine at least 60 minutes before serving. This allows the wine to open up and for the different aromas to come through more clearly.

Wine and food pairing

Excellent to pair with:

• Venison steak with a powerful red wine sauce

• Rabbit or slowly cooked game

• Spanish rabo de toro (braised oxtail)

• Côte de boeuf from the grill

• Slowly cooked lamb shank with rosemary

• Confit duck leg

• Beef cheeks with a rich jus

• Stews with mushrooms and truffle

• Aged Manchego and other intensely matured cheeses

• Pure chocolate with a high cacao content, preferably at least 70%

Alaya Tierra is also a wine that is excellent to drink on its own. With its intensity, complexity and long finish, it is a wine to take your time with.

Serving temperature

16–18°C

Vineyard

The grapes come from very old Garnacha Tintorera vines in the high-altitude vineyards of Bodegas Atalaya, in the Spanish wine region of Almansa.

The vineyards are located at approximately 1,000 meters above sea level. The old vines grow in dry conditions and produce very low yields by nature.

Due to the limited yield, the grapes develop a high concentration of colour, aromas and flavours. This selection forms the basis for the powerful character of Alaya Tierra.

Soil

Primarily dry, limestone-rich soils.

The combination of a limestone-based subsoil, limited water availability and old vines creates challenging growing conditions.

Under these conditions, the vines produce relatively small quantities of grapes with a high concentration of flavours.

Terroir

Almansa is located on a high-altitude plateau in the southeast of Castilla-La Mancha, where a distinct continental climate is combined with Mediterranean influences.

The summers are hot and dry, with temperatures regularly reaching high levels. The winters, by contrast, can be exceptionally cold.

The high altitude of the vineyards creates significant temperature differences between day and night. These differences support the development of ripe fruit, while the cooler nights help preserve natural freshness.

Garnacha Tintorera is well adapted to this climate. The grape is known for its deep colour, powerful structure and ability to produce concentrated red wines.

Viticulture & Methodology

• 100% Garnacha Tintorera

• From very old vines with low yields

• Vineyards at approximately 1,000 meters altitude

• Dry, limestone-rich soils

• Selection focused on concentrated grapes

• Grape variety adapted to the warm, dry climate of Almansa

• Approximately 15 months of ageing in primarily French oak barrels, with a smaller proportion of American oak

• Production focused on maximum concentration, complexity and ageing potential

Description

The Alaya Tierra by Bodegas Atalaya is the flagship of the winery and one of the most concentrated expressions of Garnacha Tintorera from the Spanish wine region of Almansa. An exceptionally powerful red wine in which old vines, an extremely dry terroir and extended oak ageing come together.

The grapes come from very old vines that grow on limestone-rich soils, at approximately 1,000 meters above sea level. The combination of high altitude, dry conditions and exceptionally low yields creates grapes with an impressive concentration of colour, aromas and flavours.

Garnacha Tintorera is a special grape whose not only skin, but also flesh is red coloured. This results in wines with an exceptionally deep colour and a powerful structure.

After fermentation, Alaya Tierra is aged for approximately fifteen months in oak barrels, primarily made of French oak. This extended ageing gives the wine extra depth and provides complex aromas of cacao, roasted coffee, cedarwood and spices.

In the glass the wine presents itself as almost opaque dark red. The aroma is intense and layered, with ripe blackberries, black berries and plum compote, complemented by pure chocolate, coffee, licorice and subtle menthol notes.

On the palate, Alaya Tierra is remarkably full and concentrated, with a rich fruit structure, velvety tannins and an exceptionally long finish. Despite its power and high alcohol content, the wine retains sufficient freshness to bring the various elements into balance.

A remarkable wine for lovers of powerful, complex red wines. Excellent with game, slowly cooked meat and rich stews, but also a wine to enjoy leisurely on its own.

Producer

Bodegas Atalaya is located in the wine region of Almansa, in southeast Spain, and is part of Gil Family Estates, a family-owned business with several wineries spread across Spanish wine regions.

The Gil family has its origins in Jumilla, where the family has been active in viticulture for generations. From this foundation, Gil Family Estates has grown into a group of wineries that each places the character of its own region and local grape varieties at the centre.

At Bodegas Atalaya, the emphasis is on the exceptional potential of Garnacha Tintorera and Monastrell, two grape varieties that thrive in the warm, dry climate of Almansa.

The high-altitude vineyards, limestone-rich soils and large temperature fluctuations between day and night provide favourable conditions for the production of concentrated, aromatic red wines.

With Alaya Tierra, the winery showcases the most powerful and concentrated aspect of Garnacha Tintorera. The selection of very old vineyards, the low yields and the extended oak ageing make this the flagship of Bodegas Atalaya.