Oxer Wines Ahari 2022

Oxer Wines Ahari 2022 is a prestigious red made by irreverent Basque winemaker Oxer Bastegieta in the D.O.Ca. Rioja (Rioja Alavesa sub-region), Spain. It's a modern, complex reinterpretation of the area's traditional carbonic-maceration reds.

The Wine Advocate
RP 93

Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez

The 2022 Ahari is an update of the region's traditional carbonic-maceration reds, made with 70% Tempranillo, 20% Graciano and 10% Viura. It's ripe and primary, yet serious and complex. It fermented in a 6,500-litre oak vat, where it aged for 10 months. It's juicy on the palate, with fine tannins. It finishes dry and tasty. 6,800 bottles were filled in September 2023.

Oxer Bastegieta has some of the most fascinating labels in Rioja — and even the whole world! And the wines too, of course. Otherwise I wouldn't be talking about his labels. He works with small plots of old vines and is going to plant new vineyards in Leza and San Vicente de la Sonsierra, something common among new producers after reviving old vineyards. His range is constantly changing, and he has released several new wines, including a white, all in small quantities, as he produces 30,000 bottles on average.

When I spoke with him, he was delighted with his 2022 wines and, despite the heat and lack of rain, he nailed the harvest date (earlier), which let him preserve acidity and keep the pH balanced, giving fine, elegant wines aged in used barrels with silky tannins.

Published: 29 February 2024.

Oxer Wines Ahari 2022 again won international recognition, receiving 93 points from renowned American critic James Suckling.

In its review, James Suckling's team highlights the distinctive aromatic identity of this Rioja Alavesa red, showing the harmony between fruit intensity and the mineral component. Among the most praised aspects of the vintage:

• Pure, sophisticated aromas of violets, sweet spice and mineral nuances of crushed stone.
• A balanced palate, medium- to full-bodied, marked by freshness and fruit intensity.
• Fine, well-crafted tannins supporting a long, persistent finish.
• A wine ready to enjoy now, but with very promising structure and ageing capacity.