Viña Muriel Reserva Blanco 2015

Muriel Wines was founded in 1926 in Elciego, in the Rioja Alavesa, and this Reserva Blanco is a single varietal Viura. The grapes come from 30 year old vines planted on chalky clay soils, the classic base for age worthy white Rioja, where the chalk and clay hold water through the summer and lend structure and a saline freshness that lets these wines mature slowly. Viura keeps its acidity well, which is what carries a white like this over years in the cellar. The wine is aged for eight months in French oak, then given long bottle age before release, and this is now a mature Reserva. During barrel ageing the wine sits on its lees while a slow, steady exchange of oxygen through the oak develops the wine, and with time in bottle the primary fruit gives way to the honeyed, nutty, waxy character of an aged white Rioja. The colour is deep gold. The nose shows honey, toasted hazelnut and beeswax with dried apricot, and the palate is broad and savoury yet still lifted by citrus acidity, finishing long and dry. Serve it at around 11 to 13 degrees in a large glass.