Bodega Akutain Crianza, Rioja DOCa, Spain

Ruby in the glass, with black and red fruits, cedar, scrub brush herbs, and savory spice rising from an expressive nose. 2021 Bodega Akutain Crianza is a classically styled Rioja built from Tempranillo with small portions of Garnacha Tinta and Viura, grown entirely in the family’s own vineyards around its cellar in Haro. Extended oak and bottle aging frame the fruit without overwhelming it, reflecting Akutain’s patient approach to traditional Rioja and its commitment to carrying a small family estate forward without abandoning its established style.

Product Details:

• Director: Jon Peñagarikano Akutain
• Winemaker: Ángel Ólmos
• Cellar Manager: Francisco Alcalá
• Blend: 93% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacha Tinta, 2% Viura
• Vineyard Source: Estate-owned vineyards surrounding the winery, within approximately 3 km
• Harvest Method: Hand-harvested with bunch selection in the vineyard and collected in 20 kg boxes
• Harvest Period: October 11 to 16, 2021
• Fermentation: Indigenous yeast fermentation in stainless steel and fiberglass tanks
• Malolactic Fermentation: Spontaneous, with the cool 2021 cellar conditions extending completion into 2022
• Aging: 24 months in oak barrels followed by at least 8 months in bottle
• Stabilization: Natural settling and stabilization before bottling
• Filtration: Unfiltered
• ABV: 13.73%

Sensory Description:

Classic ruby color introduces an aromatic profile of black cherry, red berries, cedar, dried herbs, and scrub brush, with subtle spice and mature oak tones adding depth. Medium-bodied and harmonious on the palate, the wine carries bright fruit through soft, fine tannins and refreshing acidity. Savory herbal and cedar notes emerge alongside the fruit as it opens, leading to a long, composed finish that closely echoes the aromatics.

Awards & Accolades:

• Score: Robert Parker 93 Points, 2021 vintage

Winemaker's Background:

Bodega Akutain was founded by Juan José Peñagarikano Akutain in the mid-1970s after he acquired the La Manzanera vineyard outside Haro and established the winery on the site of a former stable. His son, Jon Peñagarikano Akutain, has directed day-to-day operations since 2013, continuing a deliberately small-scale approach centered on traditional Rioja. Akutain works exclusively with its own vineyards surrounding the winery and controls the process from farming and harvest through aging, bottling, and labeling. Wines mature both in barrel and in bottle, with bottle aging taking place in rock-cut cellars beneath the vineyards. The estate’s approach favors patience, natural stabilization, restrained intervention, and the freshness and savory complexity associated with traditional Rioja.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at approximately 16 degrees Celsius in a medium to large red wine glass, with 30 minutes of air before serving to allow the fruit, herbs, and cedar notes to unfold. Its medium body, bright fruit, and soft tannins make it highly versatile at the table. Pair with grilled beef or lamb, roasted pork, grilled vegetables, mushrooms, or dishes served with aromatic herb sauces such as chimichurri.