When I say Rueda, you would be right to think Verdejo, the round, fuller-bodied slightly oily textured with a mineral finish.
D.O. Rueda is the top white wine-producing region in Spain, and 85% of it is Verdejo, accounting for over 40% of all white wine sales in Spain.
On the other hand, if I say Sauvignon Blanc you might think Loire Valley, Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé, Marlborough, New Zealand, or Casablanca or Leyda, Chile. Certainly not Spain. And that’s just one reason why this wine is special. The other reason is the bodega. A while back we recommended an elegant José Pariente Rose, and again elegance is what attracted it us to this uncommon Spanish wine.
Sauvignon Blanc is a white grape variety known for its high acidity, fresh aromas, and vibrant flavours. It adapts to various climates, but its profile shifts dramatically based on where it’s grown. While the acidity is always high (except in Napa and Sonoma), the aromas can vary from green apples and lime, to pineapple, passion fruit and guava.
Close by the sea, it can come with saline, flinty minerality. Rueda is offering a different floral, citrusy, grassy profile that we should take seriously in spite of its tiny market share. The climate in Rueda is continental: hot summers and cold winters. The wide temperature fluctuations between day and night helps preserving the acidity and aromatic freshness of white wines.
During the growing season, the hot daytime temperatures encourage the ripening of the grapes, while the cool nights help to maintain a balance between sugar accumulation and acidity. This preserves the vibrant fruit flavors and crispness in the wine, while also contributing to the wine’s structure and complexity.
José Pariente Sauvignon Blanc comes from grapes planted 30-40 years ago on soils characterised by layers of round pebbles, low in organic matter, with limestone outcrops at higher levels (expect minerality). After fermentation, the wine is left to age on its lees sur lie (the dead yeast cells and other particles left after fermentation) for around 4 to 5 months.
The wine presents a brilliant, straw-yellow hue with greenish reflections, indicating its youthful freshnes
The nose is intense and aromatic, with tropical-fruit notes (pineapple, mango, grapefruit), aromas of freshly cut grass are complemented by hints of minerality.
On the palate; fresh and elegant, rounded creaminess and full-bodied (unsual for Sauvgnon Blanc, thanks to the sur-lie, with a well-balanced acidity and a persistent citrus-driven finish.
A wine with vibrant character, complexity, and exceptional balance and aromatic intensity.
Serve at 8-10ºC with a shellfish, ceviche, fresh salad, fresh cheese or jamón serrano.
92 – 94 Bruja points. €10-15, at €9,85 from https://www.enbotella.com/ or from the vineyard https://josepariente.com
(Feature/Wine: Wine: José Pariente Sauvignon Blanc)
Keywords: Wine: José Pariente Sauvignon Blanc, Rueda, White Wine
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