2017 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS
"This wine clearly divides opinion. I'm with the sizeable minority that isn't keen. There's nothing really wrong with the wine, but it really isn't my idea of what white Rioja should taste like. "
Mr Steven Bliss (26-Jan-2019)
"This was a new experience for us being more familiar with aromatic Portuguese whites and the ubiquitous New World Sauvignons. Thoroughly enjoyed the aromatic “herby” overtones of this White (with spiced loch trout and garlicky veg) and will definitely buy again"
Mr Ian P Lucas (18-Jan-2019)
"Thoughly enjoyed this white Rioja and will be purchasing more.........."
Mr Kevin Scott-Cowell (15-Jan-2019)
"Regrettably this Rioja doesn’t merit a star. Not a disappointment just thoroughly unpleasant. Had I been told thes bottles of a mixed case had been left out in the sun or on a radiator for a week I wouldn’t have been surprised. Its golden colour aroused a suspicion which was heightened by the lack of nose. Unbalanced because fruit is in short supply. The label’s tasting notes suggests nutty complexity- I don’t think so. Mercifully little length. After trying a second bottle I consigned it to the ‘cooks nips."
Dr Richard F Barrett (15-Dec-2018)
"this wine had nothing to do with a white Rioja and it was not a good wine either. Probably worth to get a new producer!"
Mr Thierry Levenq (06-Dec-2018)
"My first return to white Rioja in many years. I absolutely loved it. Really enjoyed the dryness and nut flavours. Wonderful - will be buying more"
Mr Stuart Crowther (03-Dec-2018)
"A fabulous addition to the The Society's Rioja range - perfectly expresses the modern approach to white Rioja with the leaner and age -worthy Viura grape softened by a little fruity Malvasia and some of the blend matured in classy French oak to give a concentrated, flavoursome and textural white with lovely freshness and impressive length. The oak rounds out the wine as well as adding a spiciness to it - but is much less evident here than in the traditional more oxidative style of oaked white Rioja.
It was delicious on day 1 - the next day even better. "
Mrs Pippa Hayward (19-Nov-2018)
"For many years I have enjoyed all styles of these type of wines. I found this to be an excellent example of subtle oak aging and zesty crisp yet aromatic fruit. I thought it a more subtle example than the very lovely Navajas . In addition I felt whilst not in the same class as Gravonia or Tondonia ,it did share some lovely similarities at a brilliant price. "
Mr Alan Pendlebury (11-Nov-2018)
"What a disappointment.
Lacking everything that a decent Rioja should possess....little depth, nose or flavour, totally unmemorable and quite untypical of the Society's own usually good label wines.
I am a long experienced drinker and afficionada of both red and white Riojas and have a vast stock of both but the remaining bottles of this are destined to be returned.
I pen these notes with a degree of sadness since I rate the Wine Society products very highly but this one was very poor and merits only one star.
"
Mr David A Murdoch (26-Oct-2018)
"The white Rioja I’m most familiar with is the Navajaz Crianza from the list. From time to time, I’ve lamented that it seems a touch over-oaked. That wasn’t a problem here. There was clearly a slightly nutty note from the oak but I thought this was actually quite zingy - maybe a touch of petillance even. Worth a try for those interested in Spanish whites, but I can’t say this one moved me very much."
Mr David Halliwell (03-Oct-2018)
2017 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS
Daily Record (10th Nov 2018)
"I am lukewarm about
wines from the viura grape after enduring some pretty poor examples of white
Rioja. However, winemakers there have fought hard to create tasty wines from
the variety and several are succeeding well. This is one such success with a
smooth pithy grapefruit central core, good acidity, impressive peach
embellished viscosity and, best of all, a savoury, mineral background
containing hints of hazelnut and tarragon. - Brian Elliott"
The Observer (4th Nov 2018)
"Rioja rivals Bordeaux
as Europe’s most famous wine region. The two in fact have a long tradition of
collaboration: the Spanish region came to prominence in the late 19th century
when Bordeaux winemakers, their own vineyards devastated by the wine plague, phylloxera,
brought their techniques south of the Pyrenees. Today, both regions are all but
synonymous with red wines, with Rioja’s still associated with the soft
vanilla-and-coconut flavours of long ageing in American oak barrels. That oaky
recipe is also used in the best of Rioja’s whites, which, like Bordeaux’s, are
much less well known, much smaller in number, and, at a time when zingy unoaked
sauvignon blanc is king, somewhat out of step with popular taste. Paired with
creamy pasta, mushrooms or richer seafood such as scallops, however, the
style’s savoury creaminess, nicely represented by The Wine Society’s good value
example, comes into its own. - David Williams"
Yorkshire Post (3rd Nov 2018)
"A light
citrus-charged Rioja with a creamy mid-palate and a nutty toasty finish. Team
this with gazpacho, grilled herby fish or a fishy paella. - Christine Austin"