Sancha - Cerro La Isa Vinedo Singular Blanco 2021
Price: $85.99
Sale Price: $59.99
Janu Carlos’s great-grandfather planted the Cerro la Isa vineyard 118 years ago! At high-altitude, on shallow soil with a steep 40 degree slope, it’s a wonder these vines produce anything at all. But they do… and the resulting wine is eye-opening!
Rioja Blanco was once considered the equal of white Burgundy and with this offering, I can see why. A mix of Garnacha Blanca, Malvasia, Viura, Torrontes and Colagrano... of proportions we don’t really know. They’re all planted together in this teeny, little vineyard. (Just 3 acres, with half being red).
The wine is fermented and aged on the lees for 8 months in 500 liter (double-sized) barrels. Through Juan Carlos’ deft touch combined with a little bottle-aging, the wine never seems oaky – just rich, textured, spicy and delicious!
I realize that isn’t a lengthy sales pitch… sorry… writer’s block this afternoon… the big takeaway is this – You can pay over $100 for AOC Puligny, Chassagne or Meursault that isn’t anywhere near as tasty as this!
“The bunches were hand-destemmed and the grapes pressed in a small vertical press. The juice was let to settle and put to ferment with indigenous yeasts in new 500-liter French oak barrels, where it was kept with lees for eight months. Surprisingly enough, the wine is not excessively marked by the new wood and comes through like a traditional Rioja white—yes, spicy and smoky but not overwhelmed by the oak. Wines like this are more about texture than aromas. It's medium-bodied and has good freshness, and it has the concentration and terrific balance to develop nicely in bottle.” WA on 2019
“Densely flavored with a complex, layered palate of citrus and orchard fruit with a hint of the tropical. Fresh with bright acidity. Very very long rich finish. “ Int’l Wine Review
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