Marques de Riscal Blanco 2005

White Rioja isn't exactly the sexiest white wine around.  There are some good ones to be sure, with some new wines coming out that are starting to show promise.  However, the ol' Marques has done himself a favour and gone west in search of white wine.  To Rueda in fact.  The Blanco is a blend of 85% Verdejo, 15% Viura, from the 195 Ha that Riscal has in Rueda

Its very attractive, vibrant pale straw colour that makes me want to pour it into a glass.  The nose is fresh and full of summer fruit, passion fruit, grassy herbs, a bit of apricot and cooked fennel.  But where this wine really makes an impact is in the mouth: silky, oily texture with a pin prick of acid and apple fruit.  A bit of lime and herb as well.  A very handy food wine I think, but just as good on its own. 89 Pts

Source:  Toro/Woods Wines Price: Around $24  Closure: Conventional Cork 

Web:  www.marquesderiscal.com

Telmo Rodriguez Basa 2005

I've had countless bottles of this wine and it never fails to satisfy, especially with food.  So, I took this along to my favorite Vietnamese joint on Victoria Street, Richmond.  Mid way through a plate of salt and pepper squid, a nice English chap on the next table remarked that this was his favourite Spanish white and lamented at the lack of recognition such wines get in the UK supermarkets and wine stores.  Sounds like we have it fairly good down here in Aus (pricing aside)…

A fresh straw colour, with aromas of cut grass and herbs with some green pear and a lemon/lime combo.  There is enough acid to freshen up the mouth and there is a slight oiliness to it.  More tart apple and lemon on the palate with raw fennel bulb on the finish.  It dealt with the chili and spice of the squid very well, its perfect with this kind of food. Check it out next time you're at your local Asian eatery. 87 Pts.

Source: The Spanish Acquisition Price: $22 Closure: Conventional Cork

Bodegas Angel Rodriguez Martinsancho 2004

Angel Rodriguez and his wines (yes Angel is a bloke) are credited with preserving and reviving Rueda's indigenous Verdejo grape.  The story goes that Angel  had a plot of 200 year old verdejo vines.  The plot, or majuelo, is called Martinsancho, hence the name of the wine.  In the mid 70s Angel decided to grab some cuttings and plant 25 acres of the stuff.  This is the wine made from those 25 acres.  Most of the other verdejo vineyards in Rueda have also grown from these "mother vines". Verdejo has to be one of Spains best performing white wines.  Angel was even honoured by King Juan Carlos for his efforts.

Great story, now let me tell you about cork.  I've only had a couple of corked wines so far, perhaps I've had a good run.  This one wasn't so lucky, and it was the worst kind.  Scalped.  It was very subtle, where the wine should have been fresh and fragrant the wine had a very slight nose, still quite viscus, but an overwhelming sense of blandness.  Buggar.  I'll take this back for anther bottle.  NR

Source: Retail Cost: $30 Closure: Conventional Cork

Palacios de Bornos Verdejo 2005

Spring is just starting in Melbourne, so its warm enough to get stuck into some white wine and really enjoy it in the sunshine.  This is the first wine from Rueda that I have reviewed so far, but if this one is anything to go by there will be many more with summer coming. 

Rueda is one of the few white wine regions of Spain, Rias Baixas being another notable one.  The primary grape here is Verdejo, rumored to be an ancient clone of the great Portuguese grape Verdelho.  Of course given a couple hundred years of evolution it is a very different beast now days.

Bright hay with a greenish tinge.  The nose is full of tropical fruit, passion fruit and mango, with something like raw fennel bulb.  Fresh and lively palate with a very pleasing oily consistency.  More tropical fruits in the mouth and a long finish with a nice bit of bitterness.  Very satisfying on a warm afternoon and would go very well with dishes with a bit of heat like fried peppers or Vietnamese chili and lemongrass dishes.  A bargain too.  88 Pts.

Source: Importer Sample Price: Around $20 Closure: Synthetic Cork

Importer: Toro Wines/Wood Wines