Recommendation: A noteworthy white Rioja that’s way under valued.
Winery/Producer: Bodegas Zugober; Lapuebla De Labarca, Spain.
Grape Variety: Macabeo (Viura)
Geographic Region, Appellation: Cosecha, Rioja; Spain.
Vintage: 2012
Price: $16.95
Purchased From: Woodlands Hills Wine Company, Woodland Hills, California.
Paired With: Pan fried sardines, olive oil mashed potatoes, tomato and rosemary salsa templada and broccoli.
Tasting:
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He said: Chilled before drinking. Crystal clear, light golden color. Enticing smoky wet wood, ripe apple, cinnamon and even some spring floral aromas. Velvety smooth and creamy soft mouth-feel; chalky and dry ripe fruit tastes that continue all the way through the long slightly crisp finish. SENSUOUS and COMPLEX…an absolutely WOW, WOW wine. PERFECT hand & glove pairing with the sardines and delicious drinking alone after the dinner. I may be bias after having it with the Spanish dinner Vicky prepared, but this Rioja Blanco gets two thumbs up from me and a without reservation recommendation!!! One of the easiest drinking wines I have had in a long time. It’s a noteworthy white Rioja that’s way under valued.
She said: Clear, deep golden color. Full fruity aroma morphed into earthy flavors with a bit of minerality and a mouth-feel that was smooth, slightly creamy and moderately acidic. The long finish continued the flavors and very slowly ebbed leaving the tingle of the acidity to the very end. Great with the sardines and afterwards sipping without food. I would love to have another bottle to play around with other ways to prepare fresh sardines. As I sipped and ate I felt like was on the Iberian coast. I would buy this again in flash…great wine and a good value!
Alcohol: 12.5%
UPC Code: 8 79112 00006 8
Imported by: Antalva Imports; Los Angeles, California.
Photo from Bodegas Zugober.