Valenciso, Tempranillo Blanco Fermentado En Barrica

Aromas of vivid and intense fruit, a touch of pineapple – a note that characterizes this variety – and a spicy contribution from the wood. Unctuous, with aromatic volume, tasty and a very long finish. An example of the potential of this grape in a measured balance with the fine-grained oak. Grab this one while you can, there was only 600 bottles produced.

Tempranillo Blanco is a white mutation of the dark-skinned Tempranillo. The grape traces its origins back to 1988 when it was discovered in Rioja, in the region of Murillo de Río Leza. Since 2007 it has been recognized by the Rioja Consejo Regulador (Rioja Regulatory Council) and included as a permitted variety in the Rioja DOCa classification. Tempranillo Blanco shares 97.8% of its DNA with its red parent variety.

Not long after its establishment, Valenciso noticed several their Tempranillo vines were bearing white grapes with distinctive red stripes on the skin. These vines were then propagated and replanted. Previously, the tiny harvest from these was blended into the Rioja Reserva. In 2020, with the vines approaching 20 years of age, the estate decided to bottle and release this limited edition white. Only three barrels were made.

And we are glad they did. The winemaking mirrors that of the Valenciso Blanco (wild ferment, aged on lees in Russian, steam-bent, untoasted oak barrels for nine months), but that is where the comparison ends.