Finca Valpiedra Cantos De Valpiedra Tempranillo Rioja 2019 750ml

Cantos de Valpiedra represents the second wine from one of Rioja's most prestigious single estates, offering a glimpse into the excellence of Finca Valpiedra at a more accessible price point. The 2019 vintage showcases younger vines and carefully selected parcels, creating a wine that maintains the estate's high standards while offering earlier drinking pleasure.

The wine displays a vibrant ruby-purple color that speaks to its relative youth. On the nose, Cantos offers impressive purity and definition—fresh blackberries, cherries, and plums burst from the glass, accompanied by elegant floral notes of violets. The oak regime is more restrained than the grand vin, with subtle notes of vanilla, cedar, and sweet spices that frame rather than dominate the fruit. Underlying mineral notes of graphite and wet stones hint at the quality of this single estate's terroir.

The palate impresses with its balance and finesse. Medium to full-bodied with silky tannins, Cantos delivers pure fruit flavors wrapped in an elegant package. Black cherry, raspberry, and blackcurrant flavors are lifted by fresh acidity and supported by fine-grained tannins that provide structure without aggression. The oak integration is exemplary, adding complexity and a subtle creaminess without masking the fruit. Mid-palate, notes of herbs, minerals, and spices emerge, showing this is more than just a simple second wine.

What makes Cantos de Valpiedra special is its clear connection to one of Rioja's greatest terroirs. While more approachable than the estate's flagship, it maintains the precision and elegance that define Finca Valpiedra. The finish is long and pure, with fruit and mineral notes intertwining harmoniously. This is sophisticated Rioja that drinks well now but has the structure to evolve beautifully over the next decade. Perfect for those wanting to experience single-estate Rioja excellence without the wait or expense of the grand vin.