Rioja

Bodegas Luis Cañas Blanco Fermentado en Barrica 2006

Bodegas Luis Canas is located in Rioja Alvesa and they make this cracking white Rioja.  I bet that is not a term you hear very often: cracking white Rioja.  White Rioja has a reputation as an oaky old thing with a little fruit and lots of secondary characters.  Which is great if you like the style, but a lot of drinkers don't get it, and more to the point, don't want to spend the time getting to know.  This is a little bit different, more modern with a short time French oak and shows fresh lemon fruit.

Its 90% Vuira and 10% Malvasia from 60 year old vines, fermented in new French oak, then left in oak for another 4 months.  If you really chill this wine you get a very sharp, stinging nettle character.  I like it, but I think most people will prefer the wine a bit warmer so I've gone with the note from the warmer wine.

Very light gold with a green tint.  Aromas of fennel bulb, vanilla been and coconut, a touch of fresh grass and iron ore/minerals. Textured in the mouth with a good hit of acid and extreme length.  Flavours of intense lemon, sage and bay leaf with some caramel oak.  Get stuck into some seafood with this one.  88 Pts.  

Source: Toro/Woods Wines Price: Around $25 Closure: Conventional Cork

Web: www.luiscanas.com