Production
In 1988, a Rioja winemaker found a bunch of white grapes growing amongst the Tempranillo vines in his Murillo de Rio Leza estate in Rioja Baja. After several years of investigation, the Consejo Regulador of Rioja accepted that this was a natural mutation of the usually red Tempranillo grape and approved it as a variety to be grown DOCa Rioja. It is thought that just one generation separates the white and red versions of the grape - similar to white mutations of both Pinot Noir and Garnacha. The grapes are sourced from vineyards at around 600m altitude and are harvested in early October - picked in the early morning and taken immediately to the winery. There they are slowly pressed to extract the must, and the seeds are separated from the must to maintain optimal aromas and flavours during the fermentation process. This occurs over a period of 14 days at controlled temperature. Following fermentation the juice spends time on lees - they've doubled the lees ageing to 4 months for the 2022 vintage, which gives extra body and balances out the ripe fruit flavours.
Tasting notes
Delicately floral with pear, pineapple and lightly tropical aromas. The palate is ripe and textural with tangy citrus and stonefruit characters offset by gently savoury, brioche notes, zesty acidity and an elegant, lengthy finish.
Food match
A good match for poultry, risotto and roasted vegetable dishes.
