Finca Allende Rioja Blanco 2015
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Parker
Robert -
Journal
The Somm
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Elegant and subtle, with notes of grapefruit, peach and yellow plum.
Blend: 95% Viura, 5% Malvasia
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2015 Allende Blanco, mostly Viura with some Malvasía Riojana (Alarije), fermented with indigenous yeasts in new French oak barrels, where it aged with the lees and bâtonnage twice per week for seven months and a further seven months without the lees after it was racked. It has a classical oaked white Rioja nose, with some nutty undertones, spice, dried flowers and a hint of petrol. The palate has focused, intense flavors, and the oak is nicely integrated. 36,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2017.
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The Somm Journal
With an intense canary yellow hue and an unctuous mouthfeel, this unique white comprises 95% Viura and 5% Malvasia. Its weight is notable, carrying a syrup of peach, grapefruit, and balsamic that’s reined in by acidity
Other Vintages
2018-
Parker
Robert
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Parker
Robert
Founded in 1986 by Miguel Ángel de Gregorio in the hillside town of Briones, Finca Allende is located in an ancient 17th century manor, set in a medieval town square within the heart of Rioja Alta. Roughly translated as ‘further,’ Allende’s philosophy is to go further towards creating the perfect Rioja. The majority of vines are plowed with mules, grapes are hand-harvested, triple-selected and manually punched-down, before undergoing extensive underground aging in both barrel and bottle. Known for producing round wines with great body and structure, each bottle is hand-crafted by and contains the signature of Miguel Ángel de Gregorio. Considered to be Spain’s first terroirist, Miguel Ángel’s sincere dedication to natural farming and preserving the integrity of Rioja Alta, are why he is one of the region’s most celebrated winemakers and a mastermind when it comes to making world class estate-grown wines.
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
Highly regarded for distinctive and age-worthy red wines, Rioja is Spain’s most celebrated wine region. Made up of three different sub-regions of varying elevation: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental. Wines are typically a blend of fruit from all three, although specific sub-region (zonas), village (municipios) and vineyard (viñedo singular) wines can now be labeled. Rioja Alta, at the highest elevation, is considered to be the source of the brightest, most elegant fruit, while grapes from the warmer and drier Rioja Oriental produce wines with deep color and higher alcohol, which can add great body and richness to a blend.
Fresh and fruity Rioja wines labeled, Joven, (meaning young) see minimal aging before release, but more serious Rioja wines undergo multiple years in oak. Crianza and Reserva styles are aged for one year in oak, and Gran Reserva at least two, but in practice this maturation period is often quite a bit longer—up to about fifteen years.
Tempranillo provides the backbone of Rioja red wines, adding complex notes of red and black fruit, leather, toast and tobacco, while Garnacha supplies body. In smaller percentages, Graciano and Mazuelo (Carignan) often serve as “seasoning” with additional flavors and aromas. These same varieties are responsible for flavorful dry rosés.
White wines, typically balancing freshness with complexity, are made mostly from crisp, fresh Viura. Some whites are blends of Viura with aromatic Malvasia, and then barrel fermented and aged to make a more ample, richer style of white.