ANZA | Diego Magaña | Rioja | 2021
tempranillo | grenache | graciano | carignan | macabeo | malvasía riojana

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Anza is a project by Diego Magaña – a passionate winemaker who acquired 2.5 hectares of old vines planted on pure white limestone soils in Rioja Alavesa. Over the years, his efforts have been recognized worldwide, and he has grown his vineyard holdings to 4.5 hectares, where he utilizes traditional techniques combined with a modern approach to winemaking. Diego’s philosophy centers on creating wines that are pure expressions of their terroir, with employing minimal intervention to preserve the vineyard’s characteristics.

Today we are going to review a striking wine from Rioja Alavesa, which is one of Spain‘s most famed wine regions – Diego Magaña Rioja 2021 by Domino de Anza. Rioja (which is Spain‘s most famous wine region) is known for its fruity-savory and dusty wines that have the ability to age well for many years. Rioja is one of very few european winemaking regions that uses american oak barrels for ageing. The wines of Rioja are based mainly on the tempranillo grape variety, which is the champion grape here.

The wine we are reviewing today is an elegant blend of tempranillo, grenache (called garnacha in Spain), graciano and carignan (known locally as mazuelo), mixed with white grapes (macabeo and malvasía riojana) in order to add those elegant floral hints on the nose. All the grapes are sourced from bushvines aged between 30 to 90 years, grown on limestone-rich soil. The meticulous winemaking process includes whole bunch fermentation made exclusively with indigenous yeasts, in order to preserve the delicate character of the region’s unique terroir. In order to soften the tannins and add a layer of extra complexity to the final blend, the wine has been aged for 12 months in 4000-liters and 225-liters oak barrels.

//Terroir
The Rioja Alavesa sub-region of Rioja boasts unique geographical features that profoundly affect the wine’s personality. Its limestone-rich soils enhance drainage and impart a distinctive minerality to the grapes, contributing to the wine’s acidity and freshness. The elevation of the vineyards ensures cooler temperatures, allowing for gradual ripening of the grapes, which enhances flavor complexity. The region itself is moderated by the Sierra Cantabria – a small but jagged mountain range that stops clouds from coming into the Rioja valley.
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That said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results below.

//Visual
color: medium-deep | ruby color
clarity: hazy ruby-indigo shades

In the glass, the wine presents a medium-deep ruby color with hazy indigo shades around the rim of the glass, hinting at its youthful vibrancy and depth.

//Olfactory
intensity: pronounced & expressive
fruit character: ripe

On the first nose, this wine unveils a rich and expressive profile, immediately revealing a delightful interplay of ripe red and black fruits, such as dark cherry, red cherry, cranberry, and blackberry. Notes of baking spice from oak aging, including red pepper, cloves, and anise, emerge in the background, accompanied by subtle earthy hints of sand and marl, creating a complex olfactory experience.

//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: medium | aftertaste: seedy-crisp

On the palate, the wine is crisp and grippy with an alluring, heady character. It showcases ripe fruit flavors harmoniously intertwined with spice and subtle oak nuances. The mouthfeel is dry, enhanced by bright acidity and a touch of alcoholic warmth, balanced by pleasantly seedy tannins. The medium finish leaves a seedy-crisp aftertaste, coupled with an astringent texture that beckons for yet another sip.

//Verdict
maturity: developing | drink now or in the next 2-3 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential

Overall, this is a complex and well-structured wine, exhibiting nice typicity of the Rioja region. While it possesses an appealing vibrancy, it currently lacks the finesse and elegance typically expected of a higher-tier Rioja wine. Nevertheless, given some time, this wine will gain harmony and balance, proving its capacity for further development. We would recommend to drink it now or within the next 2-3 years.

//Pairing
The wine’s bright acidity and fruit-forward nature would make it a perfect pairing partner for richly-flavored dishes, like for example grilled lamb chops with rosemary and garlic, as the wine’s spicy notes would resonate beautifully with the savory character of the lamb, enhancing the overall dining experience.

//Scoring
ANZA | Diego Magaña | Rioja | 2021
variety: tempranillo | grenache | graciano | carignan | macabeo | malvasía riojana
country: Spain
region: Rioja | Rioja Alavesa
rating: 93.2
_________________________________________________________________________//Fun Facts
Diego Magaña, originally from Navarra, realized his dream of winemaking in Rioja Alavesa after years of searching for the right vineyard. His family’s long-standing relationship with the land and traditional viticultural practices laid the groundwork for a project that respects heritage while embracing innovation, making him a standout figure in the contemporary Spanish winemaking landscape.

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