Description

Bodega Gil Berzal, Tradición 2023
This vibrant Spanish red is a traditional Rioja Alavesa blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, and 5% Viura, a white grape that adds beautiful aromatic lift. Hailing from the cooler, high-elevation calcareous clay soils of Laguardia, the 2023 vintage experienced a warm, dry growing season punctuated by late harvest rains, yet the region's altitude successfully preserved the grapes' vital acidity. In the glass, it displays a brilliant, clear ruby core with a youthful purple rim and moderate viscosity, leading to a highly expressive nose completely unmasked by oak. Aromas of wild strawberry, crunchy red cherry, crushed violets, and a subtle dusting of white pepper leap from the glass. On the palate, this dry, medium-bodied wine bursts with fresh, zippy acidity and soft, supple tannins that frame a juicy flavor profile of pomegranate, ripe raspberry, and crushed graphite before a clean, mouthwatering finish. The Gil Berzal family farms their vineyards organically under a philosophy they call "bohemian viticulture," and the wine is fermented and aged entirely in concrete tanks to champion a "new," unoaked style of Rioja that favors pristine drinkability over heavy extraction. For American-leaning food pairings, this wine is spectacular alongside classic smashburgers with caramelized onions, as its bright acidity effortlessly cuts through the rich beef fat, or with grilled thick-cut pork chops topped with a tart cherry gastrique that perfectly echoes the wine's spicy red fruit. While major critics like Wine Advocate have not yet scored the 2023 release, it remains an insider favorite among sommeliers and represents an incredibly affordable, high-quality value in the young Rioja category.