The Alta Side of Rioja. Yes, it’s a Pun.
Alegre Valgañón is based in the village of Sajazarra, in the cooler, higher-elevation reaches of Rioja Alta, near the foothills of the Obarenes Mountains. This is a very different landscape from the warmer, broader valley floors many people associate with Rioja. Vineyards here sit at altitude, with poorer, rockier soils and a stronger Atlantic influence, all of which help preserve freshness and aromatic detail in the grapes.
Rather than aiming for power, the focus is on expressing these village sites with clarity and energy. Farming is careful and hands-on, and the winemaking leans toward a lighter touch with gentle extraction, thoughtful use of oak, and an emphasis on balance over weight. The result is a style of Rioja that feels more about finesse than force.
The 2022 Tinto is built primarily on Tempranillo, supported by small amounts of traditional local varieties including a splash of white grapes (Viura mostly) to maintain freshness. In the glass, it’s all red fruit and lift: fresh cherries, wild strawberries, and red plums, layered with subtle floral notes and a gentle hint of spice. There’s a touch of earthiness underneath that keeps it grounded, but nothing feels heavy or overdone.
On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with silky tannins and bright acidity that carries the flavors cleanly through the finish. It has structure, but it’s the kind that supports the wine rather than dominates it. This is Rioja with energy, the sort of red that keeps you coming back to the glass. Fresh. Refreshing. And delicious.
If your experience with Rioja has mostly been richer, oak-driven styles, this bottle offers a fresh perspective. The 2022 Alegre Valgañón Tinto is a modern take on a classic region: rooted in tradition, shaped by place, and made for the table. I think of wine as being food and meant to share. Bottoms up.
93 Points, Wine Advocate
The approachable and juicy red 2022 Tinto was produced with 75% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and 5% white grapes, as the Garnacha and the white are vital. This year, the wine achieved higher ripeness, at 14.7% alcohol, but it doesn't feel alcoholic or warm and comes through as rounder and juicier but still fresh and in balance, very pleasant and easy to drink. It matured in 225- and 500-liter barrels—they now have more 500-liter barrels than 225-liter—and in 1,000- and 3,000-liter oak foudres. 20,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2024.