Ostatu Rioja Blanco '22

Rioja is Spain’s premier region, but it is far better known for its reds, so much so that many wine drinkers have yet to discover that the region produces white wine. If there were one white to try from the region to understand how complex and utterly refreshing the whites can be, it would be this wine from Bodegas Ostatu. Located in the village of Samaniego, which is part of the Basque Rioja Alavesa subregion, the Sáenz de Samaniego family produces world-class wine. The key to their success is largely driven by their old vineyards, which sit at high elevation along the Sierra de Cantabria mountain range.

The Ostatu Blanco is made from 85% Viura and 15% Malvasía. They grow the fruit at an altitude of 580 meters from vineyards in the villages of Samaniego, Laguardia, and Leza. These vineyards were planted between 1930 and 1989, so there is a notable amount of really old-vine fruit in this excellent white wine.

The 2022 Rioja blanco shows incredible intensity of fruit, both aromatically and also on the palate. It has beautiful citrus fruit and white peach notes, along with a savory, saline quality. The finish is long and quite complex. Pair it alongside your favorite ceviche or simple raw oysters on the half shell.