Gomez Cruzado Rioja Blanco 2 Año

Grape variety: Viura, Tempranillo Blanco

The Gómez Cruzado winery dates back to 1886 when Angel Gómez de Arteche started to produce and bottle his own wine in Haro, at the very heart of Rioja Alta. Subsequently bought by Angel and Jesus Gomez Cruzado in 1916, the winemaking and vitculturalist team currently at the helm have been gaining a solid reputation for high-quality, refined wines that speak of the Rioja region, crafting wines from vineyards of old bush vines in the most elevated vineyards. The area produces wines with freshness and elegance. Tempranillo vines grown in alluvial soils at an average altitude of 500m – in a warmer, more temperate continental climate with a notable Mediterranean influence. Wines have high maturity and excellent ageing capacity. Garnacha vines at over 80 years old, planted in ferrous clay soil at around 750m altitude, on north-facing slopes near the Sierra de la Demanda. The continental climate confers strong fruitiness and marked acidity on the resulting wines.
The Viura and Tempranillo Blanco grapes are harvested from a single plot, slightly sloping, in a high altitude area of Haro. The soil is stony alluvial - with pebbles on the surface and limestone below. The vines are low yielding, and harvesting is by hand into 200kg crates. The grapes are hand-sorted at the winery then lightly pressed (around half the stems are included) and spontaneous fermentation occurs. Alcoholic fermentation is in stainless steel at 16ºC, then half the wine spends 5 months in French oak (not roasted, steam bending) with its lees, and half is aged with lees in concrete. The parts are then blended and bottled.

Tasting notes:
Poised, yet complex nose with notes of honeysuckle, stone fruit and gentle toasty oak. The palate is beautifully textured, with an almost exotic note, evident yet perfectly integrated oak and ripe fruit. Complex and with a long toasty, citrus finish.

Pair with roast chicken and pasta dishes with creamy sauces.