Oxer Wines Manttoni 2023/2024

Oxer Wines Manttoni 2023 (often referred to as Manttoni rather than Mattoni) is a limited-production red from Rioja, Spain, made by grower Oxer Bastegieta. It's considered one of his most personal wines, as it comes from vines next to his own house in Laguardia.

The Wine Advocate
RP 94

Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez

The 2023 Manttoni red is also the second vintage of a wine made mostly from a co-planted vineyard by Bastegieta's house in Laguardia: about 50% Tempranillo with a mix of Garnacha, Mazuelo, Maturana Tinta and Graciano, complemented by some grapes from Leza and Navaridas. It fermented with some whole bunches and indigenous yeasts in stainless steel and aged in 600-litre barrels for 10 months. It has a discreet, insinuating, harmonious nose, conveying calm and balance; the palate is polished and elegant, with very fine tannins. It's not extremely complex, but pleasant and approachable, with 14% alcohol and a pH of 3.5. The finish is clean and tasty, with a pleasant chalky feel. 1,800 bottles were produced. It was bottled in September 2024.

The extremely creative Oxer Bastegieta keeps releasing new labels and characterful wines; in this case, two new Riojas inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy. Beyond his Rioja range, I also tasted one of his Txakolis and a red he makes in Toro. And there's more on the way: he has bought new vineyards and plans to plant Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. In Rioja he has 11.3 hectares; 6.8 in Bizkaiko Txakolina; and 2.5 in Toro. Despite the total number of labels, production volumes remain relatively small, about 65,000 bottles.

Published: 27 February 2025.

The Wine Advocate
RP 95

Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez

The 2024 Manttoni was made mainly from a young co-planted vineyard by the Bastegieta house in Laguardia: about 50% Tempranillo blended with Garnacha, Mazuelo, Maturana Tinta, Graciano and about 7% white grapes. The blend was complemented by some grapes from old vines in Leza and Navaridas.

Fermentation was done with foot treading, some whole bunches and indigenous yeasts in stainless-steel tanks, followed by ageing in 600-litre barrels for 10 months.

According to the producer, more than 7% white grapes in the blend causes dilution, but up to that level they add elegance and freshness and contribute to the wine's texture.

The wine has 13.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.5 and a slightly juicier profile. It finishes clean and tasty, with a pleasant chalky feel and abundant tannins. It should benefit from more time in bottle.

Production: 1,800 bottles.
Bottled: September 2024.