Remelluri, Lindes de Remelluri, Vinedos de Salinillas de Buradón, Rioja, Spain

Remelluri is one of Rioja's iconic producers. Now run by Telmo Rodriguez, Rioja's greatest ambassador and one of Spain's greatest winemakers, the bodega's vineyards all lie together in one space in Rioja Alavesa, tucked up against the Sierra Cantabria. Traditionally they also bought grapes from two neighbouring villages, Labastida and San Vicente, and these were used in the main blend but now these grapes are made into separate blends and sold under the Lindes de Remelluri label. The number of villages they work with has now grown to six and this wine is one of them. In each they pay over the odds to local growers to ensure they continue to work the vineyards properly, keeping yields down, farming organically and working with old varieties rather than replacing them with higher yielding clones. 

Salinillas de Buradón is a mountain site on the north face of the Sierra del Toloño and home to an old salt mine from the 19th century. The wine from these mountain vineyards has a lovely lightness of touch which balances the deep, complex fruit and layers of flavours. It may be the name but it does seem to have a touch of umami, savoury salinity to it too which makes ever so moreish and a great gastronomic wine.

PS we were lucky to hold a tutored tasting at GlouGlou with Pablo Rodriguez, when we tasted all six Lindes wines from a  single vintage plus a couple from the estate. We acquired a few six bottle gift packs for the event, containing one of each Lindes wine and at time of writing we have a couple left, listed on the website and available to buy in the shop too.

Producer - Remelluri
Country - Spain
Region - Rioja    
Appellation - Alavesa
Variety / Blend - Tempranillo, Garnacha
Wine Style - Red Wine
Farming - Uncertified Organic