October 2024 Blanco y Branco Club

La Suerte de Arrayán 2022 Albillo, Sierra
de Gredos

Regular Price: $37.99
Club Price: $ 32.29

Arrayán started out in Santa Cruz del Retamar back in 1999, initially focusing on international grape varieties. But since Maite Sánchez took the reins as head winemaker in 2009, they've shifted their attention to indigenous varieties like Albillo Real. She crafts two wines from different sites in the Sierra de Gredos—one in Cebreros and this “outstanding” example, which is aged for eight months in 300L and 500L French oak casks.

La Suerte (The Luck of) de Arrayán is really a celebration of granite soils! To bring unique vineyards back to life, Arrayán acquired two hectares of an Albillo Real vineyard in Almorox (Toledo). These were planted back in 1942, and sit at an impressive 1,968 feet above sea level, thriving in sandy granite soil. They also have a high elevation Garnacha vineyard in El Real de San Vicente (Toledo), planted in the 1950s! From these two special vineyards, we get the lovely wines that make up the La Suerte family: La Suerte de Arrayán Albillo Real and La Suerte de Arrayán Garnacha (the latter you'll find in our Tinto Club this month.)

The moment I tasted this I thought we really don't have another white wine like this on the shelves. It's unique and I've gained a new appreciation for this grape while visiting Ribera del Duero. It's a bit polished, sweet oatmeal with honey and savory notes, a hint of nutty richness, savory green olives, and quince. While it’s not high in acidity, it still feels lively and vibrant.

Decanter 95 points

 

Villota 2020 Rioja Blanco

Regular Price: $39.99
Club Price: $ 34.00


In the heart of Laserna, the Finca San Rafael vineyard thrives under the meticulous care of the Villota family. The vineyard is home to a unique blend of varietals, with Viura making up 94.5% of the grapes, accompanied by Garnacha Blanca (5%) and a touch of Tempranillo Blanco (0.5%). This blend is carefully cultivated using traditional dry-farmed manual viticulture methods, ensuring the integrity of each grape. 

The winemaking process at Viñas del Lentisco – Villota is a testament to the family’s dedication to quality. Each grape undergoes a rigorous sorting process and is destemmed without crushing to preserve its natural flavors. The must, extracted through a pneumatic press, is then fermented in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. This careful process ensures the preservation of the unique characteristics of each varietal. The wine is then aged for six months in French oak barrique and puncheon, with weekly battonage adding complexity and depth to the final product. 

The Villota brand, under the stewardship of Carmen Pérez-Garrigues and her father Ricardo Pérez-Villota, continues to produce exceptional wines. Their commitment to traditional winemaking techniques, combined with their deep respect for the land, results in wines that truly reflect the unique terroir of the San Rafael estate. Each bottle is not just a wine, but a celebration of the Pérez-Villota family’s enduring legacy and their unwavering pursuit of excellence.

2020 92 POINTS – James Suckling


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