Recommended by the New York Times, Wine Spectator, Food & Wines, and Many More. Check out our recent Press.

Award-winning NYC wine shop – free local delivery & fast nationwide shipping. Learn more

La Rioja Alta, Rioja Reserva 'Vina Alberdi', 2021

$34.99
Taxes and shipping calculated at checkout.
Use code 10OFF to get 10% off 12+ bottles

La Rioja Alta thought enough of 2021 to give Vina Alberdi its internal Seleccion Especial designation, only the second time in the wine's history. It is 100% Tempranillo from estate vineyards in Rodezno and Labastida - Mayorita, Las Monjas, El Palo, El Bardal and Alto del Rey - at 500 to 600 metres on clay-limestone soils, from vines planted more than forty years ago. The classicism is all in the cellar: two years in American oak barrels the house builds itself in Haro from wood air-dried outdoors for two years, new barrels in the first year and four-and-a-half-year-old barrels in the second, with four barrel-to-barrel rackings carried out by candlelight so every barrel can be judged on its own. A dry October in 2021, with sunny days and cool nights, gave a slow, even final ripening and unusually good balance between acidity, sugar and phenolic ripeness; the wine was bottled in June 2024. This is the traditional Rioja template - long oak, patient bottle age, no rush - in its most approachable form.

Shipping

Every step of the journey is managed to uphold the integrity of each bottle.

  • Nationwide Access: Flat-rate shipping available to most U.S. states with delivery in 3-5 business days.
  • Temperature-Monitored Shipping: We closely monitor weather conditions and make informed decisions to ensure shipments travel safely, with insulated packaging and refrigerated transport available when required.
  • Wine-Specific Protective Packaging: Specialized materials designed to maintain label integrity and prevent breakage during transit.
  • Provenance Assured: All wines are maintained in climate-controlled conditions at our shop until the moment of dispatch.

Returns & Exchanges

We stand behind every bottle we sell.

  • Corked wine? Full refund or exchange within 60 days
  • Damaged shipment? Contact us within 48 hours
  • Storage or quality concerns? We're here to help


View our complete return policy →

Have Questions?

Our team is here to help.

Hours

Sunday - Thursday: 12 pm - 8 pm

Friday: 11am - 9pm

Saturday: 10am - 9pm

Email: help@flatiron-wines.com
Phone: (212) 477-1315

Antonio Galloni

92 points

"The 2021 Reserva Viña Alberdi Selección Especial (100% Tempranillo; Rioja Alta & Alavesa) marks only the second Selección Especial since 2001. On the nose, bitter orange, petit four and dried red fruit lead, wrapped in polished oak. Dry, lightly enveloping and structured, the palate brings tobacco and black fruit notes. Its vintage quality shows clearly, lending energy and length to a very classical Rioja." —Joaquín Hidalgo

Wine Spectator

91 points

"A harmonious red, round and creamy, with a pure beam of ripe black cherry fruit married to supple tannins and accents of graphite, spice box and dark chocolate. Savory hints of loamy earth and dried thyme push through on the lightly chewy finish."

More about La Rioja Alta

A Rioja icon for over 130 years, La Rioja Alta is the real deal—traditional, patient, unafraid of aging wine. With 300 hectares of vineyard and 50,000 casks in reserve, they make wines like Viña Ardanza and Gran Reserva 904 that taste like history and care. Not trendy. Just great.

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Red Blend , Tempranillo

  • Vintage

    2021

  • Size

    750ml

  • Sweetness

    Dry

  • Body

    Medium Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

What has to say about this wine:

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Lamb chops, grilled steak, chorizo and morcilla, paella and other rice dishes, jamon, or aged Manchego.

Tasting Profile

Medium-bodied and polished. Redcurrant, raspberry and cherry with vanilla, cinnamon, cedar and light toast from the barrel, a fresh entry, sweet fine-grained tannins and a long spiced finish. Drinking well now with plenty of road ahead.