Tritium Mazuelo Rioja Alta

VINTAGE: 2020
PRODUCER: Bodegas Tritium

APPELLATION: Rioja Alta
VARIETALS: 100% Mazuelo (Carignan) from 120 y/o vines
AGEING: Aged for 15 months in a single, new 500L oak barrel by the Charlois cooperage from the Bertranges forest.
ALCOHOL: 14.5%

In the glass, the 2020 vintage presents a clean and bright appearance with a deep garnet color and violet hues. The nose is expressive, offering aromas of ripe black fruits, fresh grape, coffee bean, red fruit compote, and a hint of cola candy. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and well-structured, featuring fresh raspberry acidity, lively energy, and a long, intense finish.

Bodegas Tritium is a boutique winery renowned for its dedication to preserving century-old vineyards and traditional winemaking methods. The estate encompasses eight hectares of vines aged between 90 and 113 years, which have been carefully maintained to retain their genetic diversity and contribute to the unique character of the wines. The winery operates from a meticulously restored 15th-century facility, featuring a stone fermentation lake and a 10-meter-deep cellar, blending historical architecture with modern functionality. Committed to sustainable practices, the winery employs biodynamic methods and avoids the use of non-native yeasts and enzymes, ensuring that each wine authentically reflects its terroir.

Situated in the westernmost part of the Rioja DO, is characterized by its higher altitudes—typically ranging between 500 and 650 meters above sea level—and a predominantly Atlantic-influenced climate, which contributes to a longer ripening period and greater diurnal temperature variation. These conditions favor the cultivation of Tempranillo, the dominant variety, yielding wines with balanced acidity, moderate alcohol, and refined tannins. The soils in Rioja Alta are primarily clay-limestone with alluvial deposits, enhancing drainage and contributing to lower vine vigor and concentrated fruit.