Eterea Kripan Phinca Hapa Elvillar Blanco 2022

Bodegas Bhilar is the project of David Sampedro, from the village of Elvillar, and Melanie Hickman, who came from Hawaii to make wine in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa. This white blends Viura, Garnacha Blanca and Malvasía from old vines, farmed organically. The Rioja Alavesa sits on poor limestone and clay soils under the shelter of the Sierra de Cantabria, where the altitude and cool nights hold on to acidity and give the wine freshness to balance its weight. Old vines and low yields concentrate the fruit. The wine is aged twelve months in foudres, large old oak vessels that give a slow oxygen exchange and long lees contact while adding almost no wood flavour, in the tradition of classic barrel-aged white Rioja. That ageing builds a broad, savoury texture and lets the wine develop nutty, waxy character. At 14.5 per cent it is full but stays dry and firm. The colour is deep gold. The nose shows white peach, pear and dried apricot over beeswax, almond and dried herbs. The palate is rich and textured, savoury and mineral, with a long, honeyed, nutty finish. Serve at 11 to 13 degrees in a white wine glass.