2014 Bodegas Compañon Arrieta ‘Malaspiedras’

Region: Rioja Alavesa < Spain
Grapes: Tempranillo
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Organic farming, 560m elevation, aged 9 months in neutral oak
Winemaker: Itxaso Compañón and Gorka Mauleon

Bogedas Compañon is a very small estate with rocky terrain (hence the name, meaning bad rocks, and the label design) located in Rioja Alavesa, the northernmost, highest-altitude part of Rioja. The Compañón family has been farming the land for three generations, but only in 2010 when grandchildren Itxaso Compañón and Gorka Mauleon took over did the winery change the focus from bulk wine to fresh, low-alcohol, natural wines. This wine is a fantastic example of how bright and lively Tempranillo can be, with big, juicy red fruit that is not at all jammy or cloying, and huge acidity that needs to be tamed with some fat or meat, or both. Making it pretty much the most perfect BBQ wine ever. Especially with a slight chill. Red solo cup optional.