Fernando has always had a majority of white grapes in his vineyards.
Along the years, the quality of his white wines has regularly improved. And now his blanco is at the top of Rioja's whites.
Since 2011, he has also been producing a white reserva. Both cuvées are on par with the best white Burgundies.
The grapes come from a 600 m high vineyard in San Vincente de la Sonsierra, on clay and limestone soils.
Vinification
Harvested in small baskets, the grapes are screened on a table at the cellar, like the Spanish reds. After maceration and fermentation, come 6 months of ageing in French oak barrels, with steady bâtonnage, in closed circuit to avoid any contact with air.
Fernando places the barrels on rotating racks so as to be able to move them round in order to mix up the lees with the wine.
Storage potential
Drink as from : 2023
Best moment : 2024-2028
Until : 2030
To serve
Serve chilled. Best decant in its younger years.
Trial analysis
The fantastic aromas of a great white Rioja, the perfect balance between malvasia and viura.
Spices and floral notes respond to yellow and exotic fruit; one also remarks an elegant touch of wood which will get fully integrated into the wine in the future.
Flavor profile
Wood
None
Aged in wood barrels
Heavily aged in wood barrels
Acidity
Low acidity
Balanced
High acidity
Fruitiness
Low fruitiness
Balanced
High fruitiness
Structure
Elegant
Balanced
Full-bodied