El Pacto, Rioja

€22.99

This is a stellar and completely brilliant Rioja that made us really smile and pat ourselves on the back for remembering it. It is absolutely gorgeous!

Made from one single organic vineyard comprising 27 different parcels of vines. It's very, very high quality and seriously over-delivers!

This is a rich, luscious and balanced dark red with overripe strawberries and a lovely lick of used oak barrels on the finish. It is high enough in alcohol, but isn't too overbearing on account of the intense, dense fruit concentration.

Made from old Tempranillo vines with an average age of 70 years, grown in Rioja Alta, and all farmed organically and bio-dynamically, this wine was made as a nod in the direction of the Lopez de Haro's ancestors - doing things the way people used to do, and so on. If that were really the case, then the whole of Rioja would be as good as this, and it isn't!

This really is an excellent synthesis of tradition and modern wine-making techniques, benefiting from climate change and the know-how of what to do with drier, hotter vintages.

They couldn't have made a wine like this in the past - the climate and technologies were so different. It is aged for 14 months in oak barrels and we think they got in spot on.

So too does Tim Atkin who gave it 91 points, which is the same score it got in the Guia Peñin. Which is very good for this price.

The 'Pact' here is between nature and mankind, the vineyard and the vine-grower. The pact from The Allotment is that if you don't like it, we'll take it back! Honestly, if a larger more commercial winery made this, it would cost way more money.

Region: Rioja

Country: Spain

Grape(s): Tempranillo

Style: Structured, Smooth, Rich, Organic, Full, Elegant, Complex, Biodynamic

Best food matches: Tapas, Steak, Lamb, Grills, Cheeses, Charcuterie, Beef, Barbecue

Alcohol: 14%

Why buy from us?

When you buy wine from The Allotment Wine Co. you're helping a small Irish company that in turn supports small, sustainable wine producers who grow the grapes and make amazing wines. We only work with partners who share a deep respect and connection with the land and its traditions, witnessed in a firm commitment to quality and sustainability. All of which makes for better wines.

Delivery & Returns

You'll get free delivery when you buy 12 x 75cl bottles of wine online from The Allotment, saving you €7.99.

We charge €7.99 per delivery for quantities less than that.

Our hours for processing orders are between 9am - 6pm Monday to Friday.

We pack your online wine order along the following timelines:

Wine orders for delivery in Dublin, received before 12pm on weekdays are prepared so that delivery should be expected the next working day.

Wine orders for nationwide delivery, received by 12pm on weekdays are prepared so that delivery should be expected two working days later.

Customer reviews

★★★★★
Great choice and excellent service. Received my delivery the next day.
Paul H.
★★★★★
Amazing service from the get go!
I emailed Chris looking for wine recommendations for a birthday gift. Got a really speedy, helpful reply and not only that but he hand delivered it on time to the birthday girl wishing her a happy birthday. Absolutely bowled over by the service. Cannot recommend highly enough.
Michelle McM.
★★★★★
Could not recommend The Allotment enough. The selection is fantastic and each wine that I've drank from them has been utterly phenomenal. Delivery was no hassle and I had the wine at my door in 2 days. Couldn't have asked for a better experience.
Luke B.
★★★★★
Good range of interesting wines. Good personal attention to their orders. Very customer focused. I would be happy to recommend this company to any prospective customer.
Jim D.
★★★★★
A great experience ordering from The Allotment Wine Company. A wide variety of wines to try something new and at good prices with super quick delivery! Really convenient too as opposed to trying to find parking!
N. Dowling
★★★★★
Delicious and interesting range of wines delivered promptly to my door. Not far off that lovely feeling of coming back laden from a good wine store but without any of the traffic or the worry of breaking the wine en route (very impressive travel wrap).
M. Dorman
★★★★★
Chris fields a fine range of excellent, keenly-priced wines. Orders are safely packaged and dispatched efficiently and promptly. Strongly recommended.
David M.
★★★★★
Great selection of wines, hassle free ordering, payment and delivery. Highly recommended.
Patrick H.
Hi, I'm Chris Gifford.

And you're very welcome to The Allotment Wine Co.

When you wine from me, you're supporting a small Irish business which in turn supports small, sustainable wine producers, as well as other small, dedicated Irish wine importers.

When selecting wines, I look for partners who share a deep respect and connection with the land and its traditions, witnessed in a firm commitment to quality and sustainability. All of which makes for better wines.