Laventura Viura 2020

South African Bryan MacRobert makes this varietal Viura from a single parcel of young vines in Villabuena, fermenting and ageing it in old foudres. Leesy, textured and nicely judged, with pear and lemongrass flavours and a hint of fennel. 2022-24

The austere white 2020 Laventura Viura is closed and serious with shy aromas of dry hay and pollen and a very chalky palate. It was produced with grapes from dry-farmed vines on limestone soils at over 500 meters in altitude in the Sierra Cantabria zone of Rioja Alavesa, in Villabuena de Álava and Laguardia. It has a medium body, 13% alcohol and a lively palate with a pH of 3.4 and a long, dry finish with a spicy twist. The vines are organically farmed but not certified. It fermented in large barrels with indigenous yeasts, where the wine matured with the lees. 4,133 bottles produced. It was bottled in August 2021.