Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Valserrano – Viura – 2023
Rioja Alavesa DOCa – Spain 🇪🇸

Overview
A barrel-fermented white made from 100% Viura, showcasing the bright, zesty character of Rioja Alavesa with a subtle touch of oak for texture and lift, without weighing it down.

Aromas & Flavors
Lemon zest, green apple, white peach, and citrus blossom with hints of saline minerality and light vanilla. Fresh, vibrant, and expressive.

Mouthfeel
Crisp acidity, medium body, and a lively, zesty profile. Clean, balanced, and enticing with a refreshing finish that keeps you coming back.

Food Pairings
Seafood, grilled octopus, oysters, ceviche, or manchego cheese. Also excellent with sushi or Mediterranean salads.

Verdict
A modern, energetic take on Viura, bright, balanced, and quietly elegant. Perfect for fans of zesty whites with just enough structure to feel serious.

Did You Know?
Viura (a.k.a. Macabeo) is the backbone of white Rioja, and barrel fermentation, rather than just barrel aging, adds complexity and finesse while preserving freshness. — 14 days ago

Ivor

9.1

Great wine combining southern burgundy richness, use of luxurious oak, great acidity and low alc levels. Wonder how this ages.. Tx @Jan A for pointing this one out!. — 3 days ago

Damian

9.3

Cedar, fruit in the background, coconut?. Mature and delicious — 21 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and no obvious signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe and some dried fruits: bramble berries, slightly stewed black cherry, dried herbs, stony earth, baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. The alcohol is high.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Grenache-based blend, Corvina-based blend or Sangiovese-based blend from France or Italy. I felt the combination of slightly stewed cherry and spices ruled out what I would want from a Sangiovese blend. Which, left me to decide between Southern Rhône or Valpolicella. I liked this wine…the oak treatment was interesting. I was getting a French barrique. Hmmm…

So, for my final conclusion: I’m calling this a Grenache-based blend, from France, from Southern Rhône, from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 2017, from a more modern leaning producer using a good portion of barrique. I’ll be damned! I don’t hate my call but I gotta get better at distinguishing these wines from Southern Rhône. I probably just need to drink more of both, lol. Tasty stuff! Drink now through 2039. — 8 days ago

Brendan Wright

9.3

Dark red pomegranate, mushroom, bramble, light, enough acid to counter light tannins. Excellent cab. — 7 days ago

Fabio Franchella

9.3

Auch der Blanco Reserva bestätigt die konstant hohe qualität dieser legendären bodega. Ausgeprägte Trockenfrüchte, quitten und apothekerschrank aromatik in der nase. Im gaumen trocken, leicht oxidativ, mandeln, weissblütig und viel gelbfruchtige aromen. Komplex, nie langweilig, betörend. I like Tondonia! — 2 months ago

with Zollinger

Iwan

9.5

An icon for a reason. Exactly what you want from a California Cab. Balanced yet bold, powerful yet refined. Amazing. — 4 days ago

joy horn

9.9

Bought at Pine Orchard 11/25 $70 after tasting at Ridge in 10/25. Less expensive here. The 2023 is rated at 100 pts. Absolutely delicious. Floral aromas, lightly crisp, subtle oak, smooth finish. — 5 days ago

Colleen Tomasello

9.4

Excellent cab! Always great from Ridge, this one is full bodied, nicely aged (still has room to age more, but wonderful right now!, wish i had a couple more) — 13 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Splash decanted directly before service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours out of red Solo cups. The 1981 Gran Reserva Blanco pours, a golden color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of Khalas dates, dried apricot, black lemon, almonds, toasted coconut and marshmallow. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is waxy. A cerebral wine and just lovely stuff. Well stored bottles have a long life yet left ahead. Drink now with patience and plenty of air and through 2051. — 2 months ago