Félix Azpilicueta Colección Privada Blanco 2023

Felix Azpilicueta Coleccion Privada Blanco is a single-varietal Viura from D.O.Ca. Rioja, produced by the Azpilicueta winery. The wine is drawn from 24 parcels spread across different zones of Rioja, each vinified separately before the finest lots are blended, an approach that lets the winemaker match soil and site to the final wine. Viura, the classic white grape of Rioja, gives a naturally waxy, citrus-driven character and enough structure to take oak well. The wine is barrel fermented, so the oak is worked into the wine from the start rather than added afterward, and ageing on the fermentation lees builds a creamy, rounded texture as the spent yeast breaks down. This is the modern, textured style of white Rioja, where barrel and lees add weight without masking the fruit. The colour is pale straw. The nose shows pear, lemon and white peach over vanilla, toasted bread and a nutty, waxy note. The palate is broad and savoury, with citrus and orchard fruit, a beeswax texture and fresh acidity carrying a clean finish. Serve at 10 to 12 degrees. It suits white fish, poultry and nutty cheeses.