2016 Vina Real Viura Barrel Fermented 750 ml

Another Side to a Famed Spanish Region

In Spanish it’s “tenerlo todo” — having it all. That’s as good a description of Viña Real, and this 2016 Viura Barrel Fermented white as we can muster. Historic tradition and sleekly modern winery, family-owned since 1879 and a pillar of C.V.N.E.’s Rioja empire, Viña Real was also the first Spanish winery Wine Spectator honored with its #1 Wine of the Year. From this storied winery comes the 2016 Viña Real Viura Barrel Fermented white, a phenomenally pure expression of unparalleled hillside terroir in the heart of Rioja Alavesa. James Suckling loved its “full body,” calling it “round textured and very flavorful,” in his 91 point review. If you were wondering what Wine Spectator was referring to when it asserted that whites are responsible for some of Rioja’s “most exciting bottlings in recent years,” aquí está — here it is! Just $14.99 per bottle — highly recommended by the case.

Viña Real’s first vintage was in 1920, and the winery has been atop the Rioja winemaking scene since then. On sun-kissed south-facing slopes above the Ebro River, that lofty vantage point became literal in 2004 with the opening of a gorgeous new facility atop the hill known as Cerro de la Mesa. Making use of gravity and caves dug into the rock, the modern winemaking facility makes use of ancient wisdom as much as state-of-the-art techniques.

The Viña Real Viura Barrel Fermented white perfectly reflects the winery’s commitment to balancing modern methods with classically inspired tactics, like on-site fermentation and hand-harvesting Viura grapes. The result is one of the most genuine interpretations of Rioja possible. If you have yet to experience a white from this sacred slice of Spain, here’s your chance.