Valenciso Rioja Blanco 2023

Valenciso Rioja Blanco is made from century-old Viura and Garnacha Blanca grown in four small highland pockets of Rioja Alta.

White Rioja is back on a roll and now accounts for a good share of Spain's finest whites, and Valenciso was among the first of the region's modern classicists to see the potential in its patrimony of old-vine Viura and Garnacha Blanca on the stony soils of Rioja Alta. This wine comes from vines more than a hundred years old, 70 per cent Viura and 30 per cent Garnacha Blanca, grown on four small pockets of ancient, low-yielding highland vineyard around Rodezno, Haro and Villalba, all a short drive from the Valenciso cellar at Ollauri. It is fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged on lees in steam-bent, untoasted oak barrels, which builds texture without adding wood flavour. Luis Valentín believes the wine performs best in trickier, cooler years. Expect stone fruit, crushed citrus, a creamy mouthfeel and a saline, chamomile-tinged finish.

Good now and better with three to five years in bottle. Serve at 10-12°C with roast chicken, grilled prawns or a soft washed-rind cheese.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.