{"product_id":"finca-allende-blanco-2020","title":"Spain: Finca Allende - Blanco 2020, Rioja","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRead Alex's Producer Profile on \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/wineobsessed.co.uk\/pages\/finca_allende\"\u003eFinca Allende\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape variety: 95% Viura and 5% Malvasía.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe grapes are sourced from Allende’s vineyards in Briones (Rioja Alta) where the vines are an average age of 55 years old!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinca Allende is one of Spain’s most prestigious wineries, yet it is also one of its most humble: no flamboyant hotel and visitor centre designed by some famous architect, no glitzy marketing, no fleet of tractors or branded ATVs – just horses!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir sole focus is on making the very best wines possible in the most sustainable way possible; nothing else matters here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere aren’t many wine producers, particularly in Rioja, who could claim a greater focus on sustainability and respect for the environment than Allende: only organic fertilisers are used; they use horses rather than tractors to minimise soil compaction and carbon emissions; they do not use herbicides or any synthetic chemicals; they use natural cork washed and sterilised without the use of any chemicals.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor this white, the juice is fermented in new French 225L oak barrels for 28 days, followed by fourteen months ageing in the same barrels - the first seven months with the lees (dead yeast cells) to build texture and body (thanks to a process called autolysis), and the remainder without, to preserve freshness. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI love the colour of this wine, it’s a deep straw-yellow and so bright, almost Sauternes-like in appearance. This is such a complex, textured, creamy white, yet it never tires the palate thanks to its vibrancy of fruit and inherent freshness, while the oak is so subtle and well-integrated. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI love its complexity, it’s a wine you can get lost in, with its tantalising notes of citrus and stone fruit accompanied by hints of honey, toast, and hazelnut. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA masterclass in winemaking, this is one of the very best white Riojas in my book and is always a real treat. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRenowned wine critic Robert Parker said it is a \"phenomenal modern version of classical white Rioja.\" And it will develop even more depth and complexity over at least the next decade.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis wine is on the wine list at the Hawksmoor restaurants at £70.00 a bottle, as just one example. So it makes sense to cook up a treat and enjoy this at home...\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA great food wine: roast chicken or turkey (Christmas Lunch!), nutty cheeses such as aged Manchego, paella, seafood such as monkfish, scallops, sea bass with lemon and olive oil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCook up a spanish seafood stew with smoked paprika, \u003cspan\u003emonkfish, hake, prawns, scallops, etc\u003c\/span\u003e! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the critics say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWine Spectator\u003c\/em\u003e have rated every one of Finca Allende’s wines over 90 points (Outstanding, With A Superior Character And Style).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92\/100 (Superior quality, well-balanced, characterful)\u003c\/strong\u003e – Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93\/100 (Outstanding, remarkable personality)\u003c\/strong\u003e – Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e17\/20 (Superior Quality)\u003c\/strong\u003e - Jancis Robinson MW \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"#WineObsessed","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52139165974875,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0948\/7741\/7819\/files\/FincaDeAllendeBlanco.png?v=1759761548","url":"https:\/\/wineobsessed.co.uk\/products\/finca-allende-blanco-2020","provider":"#WineObsessed","version":"1.0","type":"link"}