Remelluri, Remelluri Blanco 2021, 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.

Remelluri's Blanco is made in tiny quantities with grapes grown on their own vineyards in the municipality of Labastida between 650-800masl. Grapes are hand harvested and each variety is fermented using indigenous yeasts in concrete tanks, wooden barrels and vats before aging in 12 months in the same kind of vessel before blending and resting in tank for 8 months.

It's a blend of 9 of the Rioja approved varieties, none of which is Viura, yet Telmo purposefully chooses to avoid mentioning specific grapes in the blend in order to shift focus from the variety to the site's unique expression. 

Super complex on the nose, displaying butter, walnuts, quince, ginger, cedar and ripe pear. Full bodied, creamy and deeply concentrated with a nervous acidity and a long, elegant finish. 

Producer - Remelluri
Country - Spain
Region - Rioja    
Sub-Region - Rioja Alavesa
Variety / Blend - a selection of the 9 varieties authorized in Rioja
Wine Style - White Wine
Farming - Organic with Biodynamic