Grapelive Wine of the Day

By Kerry Winslow

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2009 Bodegas Riojanas Rioja Blanco “Vina Albina” (Semi Dulce) Spanish White.
This wine is about 90% Viura and 10% Malavasia and is fermented in stainless steel to retain freshness before moving to oak casks for 6 to 9 months, stirred on the lees and was picked just late enough the catch a bit of noble rot. This wine feels dry and crisp with chalky mineral and white peach along with vibrant citrus standing out on the clean palate. This vivid and bright wine has only the faintest whiff of honey and finishes with life and vigor, never feeling heavy or sweet. This is a very lovely white that is great now, though should age a decade easy, picking up many new interesting characteristics along the way.
($20 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive

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