93 points
Alma de Vino is the personal project of April Cullom, who served for years as the ambassador of the Ribera del Duero in the United States. Cullom sources Tempranillo grapes from vineyards farmed by Bodegas Montebaco, the vines planted on soils with high limestone content, located nearly 3,000 feet above sea level in the area of Valbuena del Duero. The soils and high altitudes allow her to produce a wine with freshness and tension, marked by tart red fruit and spices, with a firm structure that leaves no room for sweetness. It’s seriously structured, for an equally serious lechazo, or roast baby lamb.
93 points Editors’ Choice
Blackberry, a hint of raisin, mild char and lemon-peel aromas make for a fine bouquet. This is lively, punchy and chewy, with big tannins. Blackberry, chocolate, loamy earth, toast and peppery flavors finish long, baked, ripe and with the potential for an even better future. Drink through 2021. – M.S. Alma de Vino ~ Old Vine Tempranillo 2014, Ribera del Duero
91 points
Nicely spiced dark-fruit aromas of plum and blackberry are steady and stout. On the palate, this is tight and rough, with scratchy tannins that really dig in. Blackberry, spicy oak and prune flavors wrap up on a drying, texturally abrasive finish. Michael Schachner
91 points
Pale yellow-gold. Tangerine, pear, white peach and a touch of honeysuckle on the perfumed nose. Silky and energetic on the palate, offering nicely concentrated citrus and orchard fruit flavors that are underscored by a vein of chalky minerality. Finished sappy floral and long, with a resonating orange zest quality and bright minerality (all stainless steel). – Josh Reynolds, December 2018
90 points
Brilliant straw-yellow. Fresh pear and white peach on the perfumed nose, with complicating floral and ginger nuances sneaking in as the wine stretches out. Silky and penetrating in the mouth, showing very good energy to its sappy orchard and pit flavors. A bracing, refreshingly tangy citrus fruit note adds lift and cut to a long, focused finish that leaves a hint of poached pear behind (all stainless steel). – Josh Reynolds, January 2019
90 points
Some cedar and dark berry character with hints of meat; medium body, firm tannins and a savory finish. Drink now but better in 2018.
91 points
A fresh and rich white showing ripe apples, white flowers and melon on the nose and palate. Fullbody and a crisp finish. Drink now.
89 points
Straight-forward, ripe apricot and peach fruits with a smooth, fleshy palate. Bright, soft and balanced. Drink now.
90 points
A fresh and fun godello showing pretty aromas of crisp yellow apples and a silky texture. Bright acidity and a medium and clean finish. Drink now.
The Wine Hub, Luiz Alberto and Philip Kampe, 1/6/16
http://thewinehub.blogspot.com/search?q=Alma+de+Vino
Labels: alma de vino, april cullom, april cullom selections, casa abril, casa abril coupage, philip s kampe
The Wine Hub, Luiz Alberto and Philip Kampe, 4/19/17
http://thewinehub.blogspot.com/2017/04/casa-abril-selections-are-flying-off.html
Lisa Denning, The Wine Chef, 10/11/18
https://www.thewinechef.com/blog/thursdays-thrill-alma-de-vino-mar-y-montana?rq=alma%20de%20vino
https://www.annexgalleries.com/artists/biography/836/gonzalez-tornero/sergio
The Glamorous Gourmet, Stephanie Miskew, 3/27/18
https://www.theglamorousgourmet.com/blog/episode9?rq=April%20Cullom
Susannah Gold, Avvinare, 3/15/15
https://avvinare.com/2015/03/15/women-in-wine-a-chat-with-april-cullom-casa-abril-alma-de-vino/
TV product placements
https://www.fox5dc.com/video/638030
PodCast
Go-wine.com WineTV interview “Solutions for the Wine Industry”