94, James Suckling
This shows aromas of red cherries, earthy nuances and mushrooms. Medium- to full-bodied, with great length and a chiselled, evenly distributed palate, displaying a fine balance between fruit, acidity and tannin. The label bears the distinction Selección Especial, a designation last used for this wine in 2001 and reserved for exceptional vintages. Sourced from vineyards in Rodezno, Labastida and Cenicero, it is aged for its first year in new American oak. Approachable now but with the structure and balance to evolve over time. (JGA)
94, Wine Advocate
The 2021 Viña Alberdi Selección Especial is only the second vintage to receive the mention “Selección Especial”—the first was the 2001— pointing at a very special vintage for this wine. It was produced with Tempranillo from Mayorita, Las Monjas, El Palo and El Bardal in the village of Rodezno and Alto del Rey in Labastida. The lightly destemmed and crushed grapes fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in American oak barrels for two years, the first year in new barrels and the second year in well-seasoned ones with an average age of 4.5 years, during which time, the wine was racked from barrel to barrel four times. It has 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.57 and 5.7 grams of acidity—very good parameters and indicators of freshness and balance. It’s very classical and very clean, showing incipient complexity and just a hint of evolution and tertiary notes. It has terrific balance and freshness and pungent, focused and precise flavors. Without a doubt, this is the finest Alberdi I can remember. (LG)
93, Tim Atkin
The 2021 vintage was so good that la Rioja Alta’s entry-point Viña Alberdi noticeably over-performed. Made with Tempranillo from Rodezno and Labastida, this is a pale, refined, ethereal red that has the zip, focus and balance of the growing season, flavours of ginger cinnamon and summer pudding and good underlying structure.
92, Vinous
The 2021 Reserva Viña Alberdi Selección Especial (100% Tempranillo; Rioja Alta & Alavesa) marks only the second Selección Especial since 2001. On the nose, bitter orange, petit four and dried red fruit lead, wrapped in polished oak. Dry, lightly enveloping and structured, the palate brings tobacco and black fruit notes. Its vintage quality shows clearly, lending energy and length to a very classical Rioja. (JH)
91, Wine Spectator
A harmonious red, round and creamy, with a pure beam of ripe black cherry fruit married to supple tannins and accents of graphite, spice box and dark chocolate. Savory hints of loamy earth and dried thyme push through on the lightly chewy finish. (AN)
