2019 RIOJA BLANCO, Finca Alto Cantabria, Conde Valdemar. Rioja, Spain

From their website:
“Our Alto Cantabria Estate “Viñedo Singular” situated on a 11.5-hectare high plateau with an elevation of 114 metres above the meandering River Ebro below is ideal due to its excellent location. The steeply sloping perimeter hillsides are perfect to avoid frost; extreme aeration prevents the accumulation of humidity and dew drops on the clusters, thus avoiding to jeopardize the health of the grapes; its limestone and sandy loam soils mark its exceptionality for the cultivation of white varieties.
The Viura grape plot used for this wine has an extension of 8.6 hectares and was planted in 1975. In 2019 it was certified as a “Viñedo Singular”. This category can only be achieved by those parcels with notable features of quality and distinction.”

100% old vine Viura, fermented and matured in French oak.

A large producer but extremely quality-conscious; all their wines come from their own vineyards. Their history goes back to 1889 when Joaquin Martínez Bujanda first planted vines – his direct descendants now own Bodegas Valdemar.

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“This pure old-vine Viura from limestone-dominated soils in the Finca Alto Cantabria is one of Rioja’s greatest bargains, and among its most ageworthy whites, fully capable of evolving in bottle for a decade or more. Fermented in French oak, it’s still young at the moment, with subtle vanilla spice, pear and citrus peel flavours, plus bright, tangy, almost saline freshness. One to tuck away for a few years.” 95/100, Tim Atkin MW, tasting in December 2020