Spain - All White Wines
Spain is celebrated for its diverse and exceptional wines, and its fine white wines are no exception. With a rich winemaking tradition and a wide range of grape varieties, Spain produces white wines that showcase the country's unique terroir, winemaking techniques, and commitment to quality.
One of the most famous vineyards for white wines in Spain is produced by Naia, located in Rueda. Their Naia Verdejo is a standout example of the region's expertise in crafting exquisite white wines. Made from the indigenous Verdejo grape, Naia Verdejo offers a refreshing and aromatic profile with notes of citrus, tropical fruit, and a crisp, clean finish. Another renowned vineyard is Valdemar in Rioja. Their Valdemar Finca Alto Cantabria is an exceptional white wine crafted from the Viura grape. With its expressive aromatics, vibrant acidity, and layers of citrus and floral flavors, Valdemar Finca Alto Cantabria showcases the versatility and elegance of Rioja's white wines.
Spain's fine white wines beautifully reflect the country's diverse terroir and grape varieties. From the crisp and aromatic Verdejo of Rueda to the elegant Viura of Rioja and the zesty Albariño of Galicia, Spanish white wines showcase a delightful range of styles and flavors. Indulge in the allure of Spain's fine white wines and experience the exceptional quality, distinct character, and the region's dedication to crafting remarkable wines. Whether you're savoring a vibrant Rueda Verdejo, a sophisticated Rioja Viura, or a zesty Rías Baixas Albariño, Spanish white wines promise a journey of flavors that capture the essence of this captivating wine country.
Spain - All White Wines
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Exquisite, bold, and nuanced, the Aalto Fuente de las Hontanillas 2020 is a triumph of Spanish winemaking from the esteemed Ribera del Duero region. Created by Bodegas Aalto, a world-renowned winery founded in 1998 by Mariano Garcia and Javier Zaccagnini, this vintage embodies precision, complexity, and balance. The hand-harvested Tempranillo grapes are matured for 16 months in French and American oak barrels, resulting in an exceptional wine boasting rich flavours of black cherry, plum, and chocolate, underpinned by earthy undertones and velvety tannins. The Aalto Fuente de las Hontanillas 2020 showcases Garcia's extraordinary prowess for creating sophisticated, New World-inspired wines that bear an unmistakable Old World soul. With its impressive ageing potential, this wine is poised to bring joy to discerning oenophiles for years to come. Immerse yourself in the exploration of the Aalto Fuente de las Hontanillas 2020's distinctive composition and style.
Inc. VAT£415.49 -
Wine Advocate (96)
The 2014 Pedro Ximenez de Anada is dark amber and sweet, with notes of honeyed figs, maple syrup, toffee and almond liqueur. It is rich and unctuous, very full-bodied and a serious decadent elixir. It should last for 20-30 years, or more.Inc. VAT£241.51 -
Wine Advocate (98)
The NV Pedro Ximenez Solera 1927 is non-vintage, but does have some 1927 material in it. This is totally dark brown/amber with notes of figs, toffee, caramel syrup, molasses and coffee. It is dense, super sweet, intense, rich and an amazingly, unctuously textured, thick beverage to consume slowly and introspectively after a meal. Drink now through 2050, or even longer.Inc. VAT£217.51 -
Inc. VAT£378.04 -
Inc. VAT£491.09 -
Inc. VAT£486.29 -
Tim Atkin MW (96)
Malvasía Riojana, or Rojal, is a very rare grape that’s only found in old co-planted field blends as a rule. But here it takes centre stage in a brilliant wine that’s fermented and aged on its lees in concrete eggs. Saline, focused and refined, with jasmine and wet stone aromas, a creamy mid palate and a long, focused, pithy finish. A stunning debut. 2021 – 2026.Inc. VAT£114.49 -
Set amidst the wild beauty of northeastern Catalonia, the outstanding Castell d'Encus Ekam 2018 showcases the winemaking brilliance of its grand master, Raúl Bobet. Cultivated at high altitude amidst unique geological conditions, this esteemed Riesling, blended with a flicker of Albariño for a characteristic twist, emanates a beautifully balanced singular profile. Handpicked grapes, gently pressed to obtain the first free-run juice, are fermented using natural yeasts in granite holes from the 12th-century to gently enhance the mineral complexity. The resultant wine is stunningly energetic, with notes of white peach, ripe pear and a flutter of soft floral nuances, underpinned by lithe acidity, giving it striking freshness and longevity. Intriguing, engaging, with a stony finish that pleases the palate, the Castell d'Encus Ekam 2018 offers an enchanting glimpse into the heart of Spain's wine country, making it a treasure for discerning enthusiasts.
Inc. VAT£444.29 -
Renowned for its exceptional quality, Cillar de Silos Blanco Silos 2021 is a wine that any connoisseur would treasure. This spirit distinguishes itself with a harmonious blend of aromatic complexity, made from 100% Albillo grapes handpicked from vineyards ensconced in the majestic Ribera del Duero region of Spain. Creator Cillar de Silos is a noteworthy household name, respected globally for maintaining traditional wine-making methods whilst embracing modern techniques to engineer optimal flavours. Their commitment to sustainability is reflected in their respectful cultivation practices and usage of indigenous grape varieties.
This vigorous 2021 vintage boasts crisp notes of exotic fruit and delicate floral undertones, a characteristic trait of Albillo grapes. The wine is fermented and matured in French oak barrels for six months, resulting in a beautifully textured, full-bodied elixir with a lingering finish. The Cillar Silos Blanco Silos 2021 is a testament to the harmonious blending of tradition and innovation that is sure to enhance any wine collection.
Inc. VAT£272.69 -
Wine Advocate (97)
The white from Dominio del Águila is one of the first whites from the Ribera del Duero appellation, which just approved the category in September 2019. It's also one of the finest whites from the region (and from Spain), used by the appellation to present the new category of wines as an example of the aging potential of the style, which at this address was produced in 2012, 2014 and 2015 and until now sold as generic Vino de España. The fourth vintage bottled is this 2016 Blanco, which is insultingly young and backward, with incredible tension, 13% alcohol and a pH of 3.08, which is only achieved in cool vintages, and crafted as the best white Burgundies, as it's produced with the idea of a true vin de garde. This 2016 took almost two years to complete fermentation, because it ferments in oak barrels in a very cold cellar. This is the finest vintage, with citrus notes, hints of smoke and incredible tension and freshness in the palate. This has the tenderness of a baby and should have a slower development than any of the previous vintages. It was hand bottled—unfined and unfiltered after 32 months in barrel—into 4,855 bottles and 80 magnums in June 2019. These are wines that deserve being revisited a few years after their bottling...Inc. VAT£1,357.24 -
Tim Atkin MW (97)
Jorge Monzón and Isabel Rodero's Albillo Mayor is one of Spain's greatest whites. Think of it as a cross between a Jura Vin Jaune and a Viña Tondonia Blanco from Rioja in style. Nutty, salty yet produced without a veil of flor yeast, it's a subtly wooded delight, showing old vine concentration and the leesy, waxy, oxidative complexity that comes from a two-year fermentation without added sulphur.Inc. VAT£859.24 -
Tim Atkin MW (98)
One of Spain's greatest white wines, produced outside the Ribera del Duero Denominación de Origen for the time being, this is a field blend of Albillo Mayor with 5% of other varieties. Salty, stony and appealingly reductive, with some lovely struck match top notes, it has the concentration of its 100-year-old vines, bread, almond and citrus peel flavours and a chiselled finish. World class.Inc. VAT£1,044.04 -
Experience the sumptuous complexity of the El Escoces Volante Manda Huevos Blanco 2018, a limited production Spanish white wine offering an exquisite blend of subtlety and depth. Born from the hand-harvested, rare 'La Plana' vineyard situated at the foothills of Calatayud in Spain, this magnificent wine is a testament to its land.
Master cellar-man and Scotsman, Norrel Robertson - known as 'El Escoces Volante' (The Flying Scotsman) - applies his 30 years of international winemaking expertise to the cultivation of this wine, intertwining modern techniques alongside traditional practices that respect the environment.
The wine embraces an authentic oakey character and richly nuanced flavours gained from 10 months of ageing in large French oak barrels. Revelling in a gorgeous golden hue, the El Escoces Volante Manda Huevos Blanco 2018 offers a unique palate of orchard fruits, honey and a subtle mineral finish. A must-try for those who appreciate quality, the experience is rounded off with elegant acidity and a lingering aftertaste.
Inc. VAT£269.09 -
Celebrated as an epitome of excellence, the Fillaboa Rias Baixas Albarino 2020 is a remarkable embodiment of Spanish viticulture originating from the prestigious Rias Baixas region in Galicia. This distinct single-varietal Albarino was meticulously curated by Fillaboa, a revered estate known for its commitment to maintaining indigenous varieties and implementing sustainable practices in their vineyards.
The wine was produced through careful vinification in stainless steel tanks to extract maximum esseence from the low-yielding, hand-harvested grapes all while maintaining utmost integrity of the Albarino character. The result is a strikingly splendid wine with expressive aromatic profiles of citrus, stone fruits, and subtle floral hints.
Upon tasting, the Fillaboa Rias Baixas Albarino 2020 reveals a harmonious balance of minerality and vibrancy, ending with a lingering finish. This wine's elegance and flavour complexity make it an impeccable pair to seafood and shellfish. An experience in a bottle that is truly unforgettable.
Inc. VAT£133.24 -
Wine Advocate (93)
2015 was considered a very good vintage, because it was warm, dry and healthy, and the 2015 Viña Gravonia Blanco has a little more alcohol at 13%—only half a degree makes a big difference, and the wine is not as lively as other cooler vintages. For María José López de Heredia, the wine is too alcoholic; the vintage had perfect ripeness and the grapes were super healthy, but the wine lacks the citrus freshness and the vibrancy Gravonia should have. 27,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2021. The wine matured for four years in well-seasoned American oak barrels.Inc. VAT£315.89 -
Vinous (94)
(aged for nine-and-a-half years in American oak barrels and then held in bottle for at least nine years before release) Limpid, brass-tinged yellow-gold. Highly pungent, heady aromas of orange pith, dried peach, iodine, jasmine, honey and toasted brioche pick up a smoky mineral nuance as the wine opens up. Deeply concentrated and expansive in the mouth, offering palate-coating marmalade, pit fruit and sweet butter flavors that show a refreshingly bitter edge and an echo of minerality. Sappy and surprisingly vibrant for its heft, delivering powerful mineral thrust and persistent floral and smoky mineral notes that cling to the strikingly long finish.Inc. VAT£3,008.69 -
Wine Advocate (93)
The 2011 Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva reflects a warm and ripe year, and the wine is more evolved and already hints at some caramel and honey. It has a mellow palate without the vibrancy of the 2010 I tasted next to it. This wine matured in used, ancient American oak barrels for six years. 19,000 bottles were filled in November 2019.Inc. VAT£853.24 -
Decanter (98)
A new-wave Sherry by winemakers Ramiro Ibáñez and Willy Perez makes its debut on the Place de Bordeaux this September. 100% Palomino Fino grapes come from the 3.35-hectare San Cayetano vineyard in Macharnudo, planted in 1988. Beautifully fragranced nose, really perfumed and floral, scented with wildflowers. The wine sees one year of flor ageing but it's distinctly dry and round on the palate. There's a thickness to the texture, like thick honey but with salted, softly spiced edges and a core of bright lemon, peach and pear that gives tang, energy and excitement to the expression. Poised and refined, this has a lovely ease about it, beautifully textured and fully flavoured with mouthwatering acidity and bursts of bright citrus zest that counter the saltiness - close your eyes and you could be by the beach! Interesting and captivating, long and lingering, crying out to be eaten with nuts. lovely sea salt spray, close your eyes and you're at the beach! limestone. Small production of only 6,000 bottles.Inc. VAT£550.84 -
Inc. VAT£540.29 -
Wine Advocate (100)
I have been terribly excited about this wine since I first learned that (part of) it was still in cement waiting to be bottled in September 2013. I consider the rare white Castillo Ygay one of the greatest white wines ever produced in Spain, and the 1986 Castillo Ygay Blanco Gran Reserva Especial is a great addition to the portfolio of the winery--an historic wine that is coming back to life. I did a vertical tasting of many of the old, historic vintages of this wine, and they are included in a separate article in this very same issue. This 1986 had seen the light as a limited early release bottled in 1992 and sold around 1995, and some bottles might still be found in the market. But most of it remained unbottled and was kept at the winery, where it stayed in oak for 21 years, followed by some six years in cement vats until it was bottled. It has 13.5% alcohol, an extremely low pH of 2.98 and 6.75 grams of acidity (tartaric). It has a very subtle nose and it's a bit shy, a little closed at first. It was only bottled one and a half years ago, and it's not crazy to say that the wine is showing extremely young. The wine shows more open the day after, when it has developed some nuances of mushrooms and verbena tea. This is mostly Viura with perhaps a pinch of Malvasía Riojana (aka Alarije). The palate is both powerful and elegant, with superb acidity and great length, with volume and sharpness, with a mineral, umami-driven finish. It fills your mouth, tickles your taste buds and makes you salivate. There is nothing negative about the wine; there is no excess oak, nothing blurry, nothing to improve... perhaps the bottle used! I think this is a perfect wine. It seems to be getting younger and younger with time in the glass; it seems to be getting more focused and sharper, and I have no doubt the wine will evolve and last for a very, very, very long time in bottle. I kept the opened bottle for almost one week and the wine didn't move one inch--no oxidation or any signs of fatigue. Having tasted many other vintages, including the also perfect 1919 (which is still going strong at age 97), I have no doubt we're talking about a white for the next 50 years. Looking at the older vintages, I might even be underestimating its life span. The potential next release could be the 1998 in no less than ten years' time.Inc. VAT£2,576.42 -
Wine Advocate (94+)
The second vintage of their top white is the 2019 Flor de Muga Blanco, produced with a blend of 40% Viura from red limestone and clay soils, 30% Garnacha Blanca from classical clay and limestone and 30% Maturana Blanca planted on sandy soils. It fermented in small barrels with indigenous yeasts and then matured in concrete eggs for three months and new barriques built in their own cooperage for six months. The wine is 13.2%alcohol and has a pH of 3.2 with very good acidity. There are only 37 hectares of Maturana Blanca in Rioja, of which they have eight. It's the same grape as the extinct Ribadavia variety from Galicia. The variety disappeared because it delivers very low yields, but they love the quality when it's picked fully ripe when it still keeps very good acidity. The wine is still a little oaky and powerful, from a warm and dry year, but the palate is electric and almost salty. This is a white that should develop nicely in bottle (I wish I had a time machine!), and as with the rosé, this feels like the finest vintage to date... only the second one! 11,892 bottles produced. It was bottled in December 2020.Inc. VAT£409.24 -
Indulge in the sumptuous experience of Oxer Marko 2021, exclusively crafted at the esteemed basque winery of Oxer Bastegieta. Located in Artadi, Spain, this boutique winery has produced a remarkable vintage, utilising age-old traditions complemented by innovative techniques. Exquisitely grown on calcium-rich clay and limestone soils, the hand-picked Hondarribi Zuri grapes are meticulously vinified via indigenous fermentation, yielding a wine that is resplendent with complexity and refinement.
The hearty essence of the Oxer Marko 2021 manifests impressive freshness, tangibility on the palate, with distinct notes of green apple, citrus, and blooming white flowers. This bottle encapsulates the essence of its terroir, reflecting the geographic singularity of its birthplace. Recommended for discerning connoisseurs, this captivating blend marvelously exemplifies Bastegieta's dedication to superior viticulture and relentless pursuit of perfection. The Oxer Marko 2021 is an unparalleled ode to Spanish wine-making majesty.
Inc. VAT£105.64 -
Thoughtfully crafted in the heart of the Basque Country, Oxer Marko Gure Arbasoak 2022 exhibits an exquisite bond between tradition and modern winemaking techniques. Produced by the renowned Oxer Bastegieta, a devoted biodynamic practitioner, it is predominant with autochthonous varietals, lending it an authentic regional character. This wine reflects Bastegieta's strategy to achieve the ultimate expression of the terroir, with sustainable viticulture principles enacted meticulously across Marko's 4 hectares estate.
Fermented naturally with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels, the Oxer Marko Gure Arbasoak 2022 unfurls a complex, yet delicately balanced palette. Expect enticing notes of fresh fruit interwoven with subtle spicy undertones and a lingering mineral finish. Its old vine grapes contribute to the inherent depth and intensity, while the refreshing acidity maintains the wine's elegant structure.
A stellar representation of the Basque artisanal wine scene, the Oxer Marko Gure Arbasoak 2022 can't fail to captivate connoisseurs seeking a unique, hedonistic experience.
Inc. VAT£1,223.09 -
Jancis Robinson (18.5)
100% Malvasía de Sitges. Organic viticulture. Hand-harvested. Gentle pressing. Fermented in stainless-steel vats and aged on its lees for 9 months with bâtonnage twice a month. Neither fined nor filtered. Tasted blind. Fabulous! It is a saline, linear wine with a lot of energy, depth and very serious too. Elegance, strength, minerality and a clear sensation of wet stones. Very long and precise. Umami sensation on the back palate. I am impressed with this wine. World class. (FC) 12.5%Inc. VAT£175.24 -
Pazo Senorans Rias Baixas Albarino Seleccion Anada 2012 is the latest released vintage of the wonderful white, and we can rest assured that it is a wine of immense personality. Awarded 98 points from the Peñin Guide, the leading wine magazine in Spain, this sings with fascinating notes of “white fruit, citrus fruit, fine lees, petrol”. It possesses a richly flavourful and elegant palate ending with a lengthy finish.Inc. VAT£403.24 -
Decanter (96)
Part of an accomplished range of Riojas from Laguardia producer Pujanza, this 100% Viura is grown on the small 3.5ha limestone vineyard of San Juan de Anteportalatina at 600m. This terroir produces a distinctive and distinguished white, with layered aromas, savoury notes, fresh lemon, preserved lemon, a touch of salinity, and stony minerality. Rioja's answer to white Burgundy: elegant, mineral, toasty, buttery, citrus, with real verve - a seam of focused acidity. Vibrant finish, long and layered with fresh grapefruit, saltiness, toasted nuts. Aged for 12 months in French oak and concrete. Limited production.Inc. VAT£276.83 -
Wine Advocate (98)
The single-vineyard Sorte O Soro had not been produced since 2016, and the 2019 Sorte O Soro is the next vintage after that. This plot has always shown additional elegance, freshness and salinity since he started vinifying it in 2004, because of the altitude (710 meters above sea level) and the north exposure to the Bibei Valley, where the old clone is planted on fine granite sand and quartz soils. Like As Sortes, this Sorte also fermented and matured with lees in new 500-liter French oak barrels for eight months. It has 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.12 and higher acidity (at 7.5 grams) than the rest of the 2019s. It feels very harmonious, elegant and nuanced with some creaminess, with notes of wet pollen and yellow flowers. The palate reflects the soil, with vibrant granite and very fine sand and electric quartz (saline), and it's also round and powerful from the clone that is planted in the vineyard. This vineyard is in the process of being organically and biodynamically certified. 2,240 bottles were filled in September 2020. I tasted the 2019s and 2020s from Rafa Palacios in Valdeorras. For him, these are two very good years. 2019 had a mild and dry winter and a rainy and cold spring that delayed budding, followed by a mild summer with fewer hours of sunshine, which meant a delay in the ripening process. Harvest was more than one month later than usual, and the grapes achieved very slow ripening and full development of aromas and flavors while keeping the acidity. The harvest started in October and finished in November. It's a beautiful, homogeneous vintage with very good wines. 2020 saw a moderately cool and rainy winter and a dry and cold spring that resulted in 20% less bunches than in 2019. The summer was also quite dry but, fortunately, not too hot. Given the low yields, maturation was accelerated, and the harvest began at the beginning of September for Louro and from September 25th for As Sortes. Given the scarce water, the plants had to work harder deep down into the soil, which marked the wines; the silica and quartz from the sandy soils of O Bolo shaped a saline identity and the wines achieved a lot of elegance and balance. It's a more heterogeneous vintage, and the higher-altitude vineyards behaved better. The 2020 O Soro is out of this world. He gave me a quick preview of the very cold 2021, a vin de garde vintage but a challenging year with a lot of rain. They are in the process of certifying their vineyards (organic and biodynamic), but they have some problems in the vineyards with neighbors who are not organic, so it will probably be faster for O Soro and Sorte Antiga.Inc. VAT£1,519.24 -
Decanter (98)
Sampled from a vat, this is one of the best As Sortes I have ever tasted, comparable to the iconic 2011. It's a prodigy of subtleness and elegance. Everything is firmly delicate in this wine. Restrained aromas open up parsimoniously, with a steely structure like a great Burgundy, but with flinty acidity almost like Grosses Gewächs from Rheingau. Despite the fact that the sample was not yet bottled, the wine had no oak influence, just the indication that it had been aged, as top Godello must. Rafael Palacios is refining his work year after year, reaching the magic of the greatest wines. A top wine, and one to keep.Inc. VAT£554.47 -
Wine Advocate (95)
The 2020 La Vizcaína La del Vivo is super harmonious, tasty and balanced. The wine matured in two 2,500-liter oak foudres, and a small part fermented and matured in amphorae with skins. It's varietal and expressive and comes from two plots, one with sandy soils and another one in Cacabelos with some boulders. There's always a small percentage of Doña Blanca in the blend. It's very dry and has a chalky texture. 6,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in August 2021.Inc. VAT£199.24 -
Inc. VAT£189.64
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Exquisite, bold, and nuanced, the Aalto Fuente de las Hontanillas 2020 is a triumph of Spanish winemaking from the esteemed Ribera del Duero region. Created by Bodegas Aalto, a world-renowned winery founded in 1998 by Mariano Garcia and Javier Zaccagnini, this vintage embodies precision, complexity, and balance. The hand-harvested Tempranillo grapes are matured for 16 months in French and American oak barrels, resulting in an exceptional wine boasting rich flavours of black cherry, plum, and chocolate, underpinned by earthy undertones and velvety tannins. The Aalto Fuente de las Hontanillas 2020 showcases Garcia's extraordinary prowess for creating sophisticated, New World-inspired wines that bear an unmistakable Old World soul. With its impressive ageing potential, this wine is poised to bring joy to discerning oenophiles for years to come. Immerse yourself in the exploration of the Aalto Fuente de las Hontanillas 2020's distinctive composition and style.
In Bond£327.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
The 2014 Pedro Ximenez de Anada is dark amber and sweet, with notes of honeyed figs, maple syrup, toffee and almond liqueur. It is rich and unctuous, very full-bodied and a serious decadent elixir. It should last for 20-30 years, or more.In Bond£191.00 -
Wine Advocate (98)
The NV Pedro Ximenez Solera 1927 is non-vintage, but does have some 1927 material in it. This is totally dark brown/amber with notes of figs, toffee, caramel syrup, molasses and coffee. It is dense, super sweet, intense, rich and an amazingly, unctuously textured, thick beverage to consume slowly and introspectively after a meal. Drink now through 2050, or even longer.In Bond£171.00 -
In Bond£299.00
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In Bond£390.00
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In Bond£386.00
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Tim Atkin MW (96)
Malvasía Riojana, or Rojal, is a very rare grape that’s only found in old co-planted field blends as a rule. But here it takes centre stage in a brilliant wine that’s fermented and aged on its lees in concrete eggs. Saline, focused and refined, with jasmine and wet stone aromas, a creamy mid palate and a long, focused, pithy finish. A stunning debut. 2021 – 2026.In Bond£89.00 -
Set amidst the wild beauty of northeastern Catalonia, the outstanding Castell d'Encus Ekam 2018 showcases the winemaking brilliance of its grand master, Raúl Bobet. Cultivated at high altitude amidst unique geological conditions, this esteemed Riesling, blended with a flicker of Albariño for a characteristic twist, emanates a beautifully balanced singular profile. Handpicked grapes, gently pressed to obtain the first free-run juice, are fermented using natural yeasts in granite holes from the 12th-century to gently enhance the mineral complexity. The resultant wine is stunningly energetic, with notes of white peach, ripe pear and a flutter of soft floral nuances, underpinned by lithe acidity, giving it striking freshness and longevity. Intriguing, engaging, with a stony finish that pleases the palate, the Castell d'Encus Ekam 2018 offers an enchanting glimpse into the heart of Spain's wine country, making it a treasure for discerning enthusiasts.
In Bond£351.00 -
Renowned for its exceptional quality, Cillar de Silos Blanco Silos 2021 is a wine that any connoisseur would treasure. This spirit distinguishes itself with a harmonious blend of aromatic complexity, made from 100% Albillo grapes handpicked from vineyards ensconced in the majestic Ribera del Duero region of Spain. Creator Cillar de Silos is a noteworthy household name, respected globally for maintaining traditional wine-making methods whilst embracing modern techniques to engineer optimal flavours. Their commitment to sustainability is reflected in their respectful cultivation practices and usage of indigenous grape varieties.
This vigorous 2021 vintage boasts crisp notes of exotic fruit and delicate floral undertones, a characteristic trait of Albillo grapes. The wine is fermented and matured in French oak barrels for six months, resulting in a beautifully textured, full-bodied elixir with a lingering finish. The Cillar Silos Blanco Silos 2021 is a testament to the harmonious blending of tradition and innovation that is sure to enhance any wine collection.
In Bond£208.00 -
Wine Advocate (97)
The white from Dominio del Águila is one of the first whites from the Ribera del Duero appellation, which just approved the category in September 2019. It's also one of the finest whites from the region (and from Spain), used by the appellation to present the new category of wines as an example of the aging potential of the style, which at this address was produced in 2012, 2014 and 2015 and until now sold as generic Vino de España. The fourth vintage bottled is this 2016 Blanco, which is insultingly young and backward, with incredible tension, 13% alcohol and a pH of 3.08, which is only achieved in cool vintages, and crafted as the best white Burgundies, as it's produced with the idea of a true vin de garde. This 2016 took almost two years to complete fermentation, because it ferments in oak barrels in a very cold cellar. This is the finest vintage, with citrus notes, hints of smoke and incredible tension and freshness in the palate. This has the tenderness of a baby and should have a slower development than any of the previous vintages. It was hand bottled—unfined and unfiltered after 32 months in barrel—into 4,855 bottles and 80 magnums in June 2019. These are wines that deserve being revisited a few years after their bottling...In Bond£1,115.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (97)
Jorge Monzón and Isabel Rodero's Albillo Mayor is one of Spain's greatest whites. Think of it as a cross between a Jura Vin Jaune and a Viña Tondonia Blanco from Rioja in style. Nutty, salty yet produced without a veil of flor yeast, it's a subtly wooded delight, showing old vine concentration and the leesy, waxy, oxidative complexity that comes from a two-year fermentation without added sulphur.In Bond£700.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (98)
One of Spain's greatest white wines, produced outside the Ribera del Duero Denominación de Origen for the time being, this is a field blend of Albillo Mayor with 5% of other varieties. Salty, stony and appealingly reductive, with some lovely struck match top notes, it has the concentration of its 100-year-old vines, bread, almond and citrus peel flavours and a chiselled finish. World class.In Bond£854.00 -
Experience the sumptuous complexity of the El Escoces Volante Manda Huevos Blanco 2018, a limited production Spanish white wine offering an exquisite blend of subtlety and depth. Born from the hand-harvested, rare 'La Plana' vineyard situated at the foothills of Calatayud in Spain, this magnificent wine is a testament to its land.
Master cellar-man and Scotsman, Norrel Robertson - known as 'El Escoces Volante' (The Flying Scotsman) - applies his 30 years of international winemaking expertise to the cultivation of this wine, intertwining modern techniques alongside traditional practices that respect the environment.
The wine embraces an authentic oakey character and richly nuanced flavours gained from 10 months of ageing in large French oak barrels. Revelling in a gorgeous golden hue, the El Escoces Volante Manda Huevos Blanco 2018 offers a unique palate of orchard fruits, honey and a subtle mineral finish. A must-try for those who appreciate quality, the experience is rounded off with elegant acidity and a lingering aftertaste.
In Bond£205.00 -
Celebrated as an epitome of excellence, the Fillaboa Rias Baixas Albarino 2020 is a remarkable embodiment of Spanish viticulture originating from the prestigious Rias Baixas region in Galicia. This distinct single-varietal Albarino was meticulously curated by Fillaboa, a revered estate known for its commitment to maintaining indigenous varieties and implementing sustainable practices in their vineyards.
The wine was produced through careful vinification in stainless steel tanks to extract maximum esseence from the low-yielding, hand-harvested grapes all while maintaining utmost integrity of the Albarino character. The result is a strikingly splendid wine with expressive aromatic profiles of citrus, stone fruits, and subtle floral hints.
Upon tasting, the Fillaboa Rias Baixas Albarino 2020 reveals a harmonious balance of minerality and vibrancy, ending with a lingering finish. This wine's elegance and flavour complexity make it an impeccable pair to seafood and shellfish. An experience in a bottle that is truly unforgettable.
In Bond£95.00 -
Wine Advocate (93)
2015 was considered a very good vintage, because it was warm, dry and healthy, and the 2015 Viña Gravonia Blanco has a little more alcohol at 13%—only half a degree makes a big difference, and the wine is not as lively as other cooler vintages. For María José López de Heredia, the wine is too alcoholic; the vintage had perfect ripeness and the grapes were super healthy, but the wine lacks the citrus freshness and the vibrancy Gravonia should have. 27,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2021. The wine matured for four years in well-seasoned American oak barrels.In Bond£244.00 -
Vinous (94)
(aged for nine-and-a-half years in American oak barrels and then held in bottle for at least nine years before release) Limpid, brass-tinged yellow-gold. Highly pungent, heady aromas of orange pith, dried peach, iodine, jasmine, honey and toasted brioche pick up a smoky mineral nuance as the wine opens up. Deeply concentrated and expansive in the mouth, offering palate-coating marmalade, pit fruit and sweet butter flavors that show a refreshingly bitter edge and an echo of minerality. Sappy and surprisingly vibrant for its heft, delivering powerful mineral thrust and persistent floral and smoky mineral notes that cling to the strikingly long finish.In Bond£2,488.00 -
Wine Advocate (93)
The 2011 Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva reflects a warm and ripe year, and the wine is more evolved and already hints at some caramel and honey. It has a mellow palate without the vibrancy of the 2010 I tasted next to it. This wine matured in used, ancient American oak barrels for six years. 19,000 bottles were filled in November 2019.In Bond£695.00 -
Decanter (98)
A new-wave Sherry by winemakers Ramiro Ibáñez and Willy Perez makes its debut on the Place de Bordeaux this September. 100% Palomino Fino grapes come from the 3.35-hectare San Cayetano vineyard in Macharnudo, planted in 1988. Beautifully fragranced nose, really perfumed and floral, scented with wildflowers. The wine sees one year of flor ageing but it's distinctly dry and round on the palate. There's a thickness to the texture, like thick honey but with salted, softly spiced edges and a core of bright lemon, peach and pear that gives tang, energy and excitement to the expression. Poised and refined, this has a lovely ease about it, beautifully textured and fully flavoured with mouthwatering acidity and bursts of bright citrus zest that counter the saltiness - close your eyes and you could be by the beach! Interesting and captivating, long and lingering, crying out to be eaten with nuts. lovely sea salt spray, close your eyes and you're at the beach! limestone. Small production of only 6,000 bottles.In Bond£443.00 -
In Bond£431.00
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Wine Advocate (100)
I have been terribly excited about this wine since I first learned that (part of) it was still in cement waiting to be bottled in September 2013. I consider the rare white Castillo Ygay one of the greatest white wines ever produced in Spain, and the 1986 Castillo Ygay Blanco Gran Reserva Especial is a great addition to the portfolio of the winery--an historic wine that is coming back to life. I did a vertical tasting of many of the old, historic vintages of this wine, and they are included in a separate article in this very same issue. This 1986 had seen the light as a limited early release bottled in 1992 and sold around 1995, and some bottles might still be found in the market. But most of it remained unbottled and was kept at the winery, where it stayed in oak for 21 years, followed by some six years in cement vats until it was bottled. It has 13.5% alcohol, an extremely low pH of 2.98 and 6.75 grams of acidity (tartaric). It has a very subtle nose and it's a bit shy, a little closed at first. It was only bottled one and a half years ago, and it's not crazy to say that the wine is showing extremely young. The wine shows more open the day after, when it has developed some nuances of mushrooms and verbena tea. This is mostly Viura with perhaps a pinch of Malvasía Riojana (aka Alarije). The palate is both powerful and elegant, with superb acidity and great length, with volume and sharpness, with a mineral, umami-driven finish. It fills your mouth, tickles your taste buds and makes you salivate. There is nothing negative about the wine; there is no excess oak, nothing blurry, nothing to improve... perhaps the bottle used! I think this is a perfect wine. It seems to be getting younger and younger with time in the glass; it seems to be getting more focused and sharper, and I have no doubt the wine will evolve and last for a very, very, very long time in bottle. I kept the opened bottle for almost one week and the wine didn't move one inch--no oxidation or any signs of fatigue. Having tasted many other vintages, including the also perfect 1919 (which is still going strong at age 97), I have no doubt we're talking about a white for the next 50 years. Looking at the older vintages, I might even be underestimating its life span. The potential next release could be the 1998 in no less than ten years' time.In Bond£2,139.00 -
Wine Advocate (94+)
The second vintage of their top white is the 2019 Flor de Muga Blanco, produced with a blend of 40% Viura from red limestone and clay soils, 30% Garnacha Blanca from classical clay and limestone and 30% Maturana Blanca planted on sandy soils. It fermented in small barrels with indigenous yeasts and then matured in concrete eggs for three months and new barriques built in their own cooperage for six months. The wine is 13.2%alcohol and has a pH of 3.2 with very good acidity. There are only 37 hectares of Maturana Blanca in Rioja, of which they have eight. It's the same grape as the extinct Ribadavia variety from Galicia. The variety disappeared because it delivers very low yields, but they love the quality when it's picked fully ripe when it still keeps very good acidity. The wine is still a little oaky and powerful, from a warm and dry year, but the palate is electric and almost salty. This is a white that should develop nicely in bottle (I wish I had a time machine!), and as with the rosé, this feels like the finest vintage to date... only the second one! 11,892 bottles produced. It was bottled in December 2020.In Bond£325.00 -
Indulge in the sumptuous experience of Oxer Marko 2021, exclusively crafted at the esteemed basque winery of Oxer Bastegieta. Located in Artadi, Spain, this boutique winery has produced a remarkable vintage, utilising age-old traditions complemented by innovative techniques. Exquisitely grown on calcium-rich clay and limestone soils, the hand-picked Hondarribi Zuri grapes are meticulously vinified via indigenous fermentation, yielding a wine that is resplendent with complexity and refinement.
The hearty essence of the Oxer Marko 2021 manifests impressive freshness, tangibility on the palate, with distinct notes of green apple, citrus, and blooming white flowers. This bottle encapsulates the essence of its terroir, reflecting the geographic singularity of its birthplace. Recommended for discerning connoisseurs, this captivating blend marvelously exemplifies Bastegieta's dedication to superior viticulture and relentless pursuit of perfection. The Oxer Marko 2021 is an unparalleled ode to Spanish wine-making majesty.
In Bond£72.00 -
Thoughtfully crafted in the heart of the Basque Country, Oxer Marko Gure Arbasoak 2022 exhibits an exquisite bond between tradition and modern winemaking techniques. Produced by the renowned Oxer Bastegieta, a devoted biodynamic practitioner, it is predominant with autochthonous varietals, lending it an authentic regional character. This wine reflects Bastegieta's strategy to achieve the ultimate expression of the terroir, with sustainable viticulture principles enacted meticulously across Marko's 4 hectares estate.
Fermented naturally with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels, the Oxer Marko Gure Arbasoak 2022 unfurls a complex, yet delicately balanced palette. Expect enticing notes of fresh fruit interwoven with subtle spicy undertones and a lingering mineral finish. Its old vine grapes contribute to the inherent depth and intensity, while the refreshing acidity maintains the wine's elegant structure.
A stellar representation of the Basque artisanal wine scene, the Oxer Marko Gure Arbasoak 2022 can't fail to captivate connoisseurs seeking a unique, hedonistic experience.
In Bond£1,000.00 -
Jancis Robinson (18.5)
100% Malvasía de Sitges. Organic viticulture. Hand-harvested. Gentle pressing. Fermented in stainless-steel vats and aged on its lees for 9 months with bâtonnage twice a month. Neither fined nor filtered. Tasted blind. Fabulous! It is a saline, linear wine with a lot of energy, depth and very serious too. Elegance, strength, minerality and a clear sensation of wet stones. Very long and precise. Umami sensation on the back palate. I am impressed with this wine. World class. (FC) 12.5%In Bond£130.00 -
Pazo Senorans Rias Baixas Albarino Seleccion Anada 2012 is the latest released vintage of the wonderful white, and we can rest assured that it is a wine of immense personality. Awarded 98 points from the Peñin Guide, the leading wine magazine in Spain, this sings with fascinating notes of “white fruit, citrus fruit, fine lees, petrol”. It possesses a richly flavourful and elegant palate ending with a lengthy finish.In Bond£320.00
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Decanter (96)
Part of an accomplished range of Riojas from Laguardia producer Pujanza, this 100% Viura is grown on the small 3.5ha limestone vineyard of San Juan de Anteportalatina at 600m. This terroir produces a distinctive and distinguished white, with layered aromas, savoury notes, fresh lemon, preserved lemon, a touch of salinity, and stony minerality. Rioja's answer to white Burgundy: elegant, mineral, toasty, buttery, citrus, with real verve - a seam of focused acidity. Vibrant finish, long and layered with fresh grapefruit, saltiness, toasted nuts. Aged for 12 months in French oak and concrete. Limited production.In Bond£220.00 -
Wine Advocate (98)
The single-vineyard Sorte O Soro had not been produced since 2016, and the 2019 Sorte O Soro is the next vintage after that. This plot has always shown additional elegance, freshness and salinity since he started vinifying it in 2004, because of the altitude (710 meters above sea level) and the north exposure to the Bibei Valley, where the old clone is planted on fine granite sand and quartz soils. Like As Sortes, this Sorte also fermented and matured with lees in new 500-liter French oak barrels for eight months. It has 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.12 and higher acidity (at 7.5 grams) than the rest of the 2019s. It feels very harmonious, elegant and nuanced with some creaminess, with notes of wet pollen and yellow flowers. The palate reflects the soil, with vibrant granite and very fine sand and electric quartz (saline), and it's also round and powerful from the clone that is planted in the vineyard. This vineyard is in the process of being organically and biodynamically certified. 2,240 bottles were filled in September 2020. I tasted the 2019s and 2020s from Rafa Palacios in Valdeorras. For him, these are two very good years. 2019 had a mild and dry winter and a rainy and cold spring that delayed budding, followed by a mild summer with fewer hours of sunshine, which meant a delay in the ripening process. Harvest was more than one month later than usual, and the grapes achieved very slow ripening and full development of aromas and flavors while keeping the acidity. The harvest started in October and finished in November. It's a beautiful, homogeneous vintage with very good wines. 2020 saw a moderately cool and rainy winter and a dry and cold spring that resulted in 20% less bunches than in 2019. The summer was also quite dry but, fortunately, not too hot. Given the low yields, maturation was accelerated, and the harvest began at the beginning of September for Louro and from September 25th for As Sortes. Given the scarce water, the plants had to work harder deep down into the soil, which marked the wines; the silica and quartz from the sandy soils of O Bolo shaped a saline identity and the wines achieved a lot of elegance and balance. It's a more heterogeneous vintage, and the higher-altitude vineyards behaved better. The 2020 O Soro is out of this world. He gave me a quick preview of the very cold 2021, a vin de garde vintage but a challenging year with a lot of rain. They are in the process of certifying their vineyards (organic and biodynamic), but they have some problems in the vineyards with neighbors who are not organic, so it will probably be faster for O Soro and Sorte Antiga.In Bond£1,250.00 -
Decanter (98)
Sampled from a vat, this is one of the best As Sortes I have ever tasted, comparable to the iconic 2011. It's a prodigy of subtleness and elegance. Everything is firmly delicate in this wine. Restrained aromas open up parsimoniously, with a steely structure like a great Burgundy, but with flinty acidity almost like Grosses Gewächs from Rheingau. Despite the fact that the sample was not yet bottled, the wine had no oak influence, just the indication that it had been aged, as top Godello must. Rafael Palacios is refining his work year after year, reaching the magic of the greatest wines. A top wine, and one to keep.In Bond£430.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
The 2020 La Vizcaína La del Vivo is super harmonious, tasty and balanced. The wine matured in two 2,500-liter oak foudres, and a small part fermented and matured in amphorae with skins. It's varietal and expressive and comes from two plots, one with sandy soils and another one in Cacabelos with some boulders. There's always a small percentage of Doña Blanca in the blend. It's very dry and has a chalky texture. 6,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in August 2021.In Bond£150.00 -
In Bond£142.00
