Gómez Cruzado Blanco 2 Año 2019, Rioja

Gomez Cruzado's Blanco '2 Ano' is a Burgundian style white Rioja which reflects the land, rather than purely varietal expression. The resulting white wine has character and weight whilst retaining fresh acidity and appealing aromatics.

The Viura and Tempranillo Blanco grapes are harvested from a single plot, slightly sloping, in a high altitude area of Haro. The soil is stony alluvial - with pebbles on the surface and limestone below. The vines are low yielding, and harvesting is by hand. The grapes are hand-sorted at the winery then lightly pressed and spontaneous fermentation occurs. Half the wine spends 5 months in French oak with its lees, and half is aged with lees in concrete. The parts are then blended and bottled.

This has produced a white wine which is poised, yet complex. On the nose there are notes of honeysuckle, stone fruit and gentle toasty oak. The palate is beautifully textured, with an almost exotic note, evident yet perfectly integrated oak and ripe fruit.

Complex and with a long toasty, citrus finish. Ideal served on Sunday with a roast chicken.