| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | Spain > Rioja |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Still |
To catch up with the current vintages that I shall review every 12 months from now on, I tasted two vintages of some of the wines, including the whites. The 2018 Capellanía is 100% Viura from the plot that names the wine. The vineyard is six hectares planted in 1945 at 485 meters altitude, the highest in the estate. It fermented in concrete, the first vintage to do so, as it was fermented in stainless steel until then, and matured in second-use French oak barrels for 22 months. It spent a further seven months in concrete, a long élevage, with the idea to produce a structured white with aging potential, while keeping the varietal character. The wine is subtle and elegant, following the path of all the wines in the portfolio here, still marked by the élevage in oak, spicy and smoky. The palate is balanced, with a nice combination of fruit and oak, with a soft texture, clean, focused and tasty. It has 14% alcohol, a low pH of 3.1 and 6.10 grams of acidity. 21,836 bottled and 688 magnums produced. It was bottled in July 2022. This is now released with the Gran Reserva back label.
Mineral, macadamia, pine nuts, white sesame and white fruit with a touch of spice. A bright and linear Capellania that shows excellent tension, freshness and complexity. Long and appetizing finish. More taut and gastronomic now. 100% viura. Drink now or hold.
From a single 6ha plot and 70 year old vines, this white Rioja comes from the highest altitude vineyards at the Ygay estate and has more than a hint of something Burgundian about it. The ageing takes places in French oak barrels for 22 months, cementing this idea. Less than 2,000 cases made each year. Pale straw in the glass, the nose is full of orchard fruit, woody herbs and blanched almond tones, layered with a lick of sweet spice from the oak. The palate has a silky texture, broad and polished with fresh nuts, peach and pear and more baking spices coming through. There is a hint of thyme and tarragon to the palate, adding to the intrigue. Long, succulent and supple on the finish. Very well made.
