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Biga 2003
Luberri
D.O. Ca. Rioja

Owned by Florentino Monje Amestoy, Luberri is located in Elciego in the heart of Rioja Alavesa. Florentino farms 35 hectars of old vines located principally between the villages of El Ciego and La Guardia.

A farmer at heart, Florentino was the original winemaker at Artadi before establishing his own winery in 1992. Florentino is hands-on at the winery, working on all aspects of production, but his true love is working in the vineyards. All the plots are farmed with minimal treatment of the soils and vines. Vineyard sites are separately fermented and vinified. By keeping yields low Florentino extracts grapes with great concentration and flavor. Yields are around 34 to 45 hectoliters per hectars. Monje Amestoy (MA) and Finca Los Meriños are all bottled unfiltered.

Biga 2003

Tasting Notes -Classic smoke and woodsy aromas surrounded by forest fruits. Spices, red peppers and dark fruit flavors framed by soft persistent tannins.

Wine Maker’s Notes: Although 2003  presented issues with the heat the harvest also brought grapes in that werer very healthy and full of sugars. Made from 100% Tempranillo sourced from the younger vines. Fermented in stainless steel then aged in French and American oak for 12 months.

89 points
2003 Luberri Biga
(eRobertParker.com, 2-28-07)
The Wine Advocate

D.O. Ca. Rioja

The most famous, and first, Denomination of Origin in Spain is Rioja. Its vineyards are divided into three main viticultural areas; Rioja Baja, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta. Growers who sell their products to the Rioja houses who traditionally are not big vineyard holders control the majority of the vineyards. These traditional, large houses usually blend grapes from the three regions to create a house style.