Bodegas Ondarre Valdebaron Blanco White Rioja, 2020
A creamy and savoury Tempranillo Blanco, with delicate aromas of white flowers layered with ripe melon interlaced with ginger through to a deliciously refreshing finish.
Producer Note - Bodegas Ondarre was founded in 1985, with the aim of creating wines that showcase the region’s distinct terroirs. Situated in the town of Viana overlooking the Rioja Valley in Rioja Oriental, Bodegas Ondarre is the only winery in the village of Viana.
They have formed trusted relationships with the highest quality growers in the area, with whom they have been working since their inception. The Reservas are Bodegas Ondarre’s most acclaimed wines, which win top awards and critical approval every year. They attribute their success to hard work in the vineyards and their continual investment in the winery and barrel stock.
They use both French and American oak casks to help them obtain the character in their wines. They also produce a few thousand cases of a single varietal Graciano - a real rarity due to the low yielding nature of this variety.
Vineyard - The Tempranillo Blanco vines are grown in a small number of vineyard sites to the north and northeast of Viana, situated northern bank of the River Ebro. The vineyards are located on slopes ranging from 520 to 690 metres above sea level, which have been formed by small streams running down from the Sierra Cantabria hills, the terrain is uneven with ravines and the occasional small cliff. The vines are sheltered from the harsh northern winds and the wetter, cooler weather fronts by the nearby Sierra Cantabria range.
The south-facing orientation optimises sunlight exposure and warm, dry winds from the south help to ventilate the vineyard, reducing disease pressure. The vineyards are situated on a variety of soil types from sand, gravel, clay and chalk over a limestone subsoil. The topsoil is shallow, just 25 to 40 centimetres deep and as such, the vines take time to develop and establish complex root systems, and these bush vines are old and low yielding. The locals are reluctant to uproot old vine stocks and therefore these vines are noticeably older than those in the surrounding area.
Winemaking - The grapes were carefully selected and gently pressed to retain the aromas. The clarified must was barrel-fermented in new 225-litre French oak with selected yeasts under temperature-controlled conditions. The wine spent a further four months ageing on its fine lees in 225 litre American and French oak barriques and Acacia casks.
Tasting Note - Delicate aromas of white flowers are layered with green apple and pear. Refreshing with an elegant creamy texture, balanced by crisp acidity, this has a deliciously long and mouthwatering finish.
Grape Tempranillo 100%
Winemaker: Javier Martinez
Region: Rioja
Sub region: Rioja
Oriental Country: Spain
Alcohol: 12.5%
Dry/Sweet value: 1 (1 is dry, 7 is very sweet)
Residual Sugar: 4
Contains Sulphites: Yes
Vegetarian/Vegan: Yes/Yes
Milk/Eggs: No/No
Organic: No
Biodynamic: No
Closure: Natural Cork
