Valenciso Rioja Blanco has layers of complex aromas with delicate floral notes intertwining with preserved lemon and subtle smoky hints. Its intense, expansive palate coming in waves with nuts, stone fruits, and a distinct minerality, balanced by a crisp citrus acidity that lingers on the finish. This white wine benefits from decanting to fully express its depth and will harmonize beautifully with dishes like hake accompanied by saffron and mustard mash. Designed to evolve gracefully in the bottle, it is drinking beautifully now and if kept correctly will last several years.

Critic Review

Decanter Magazine: 95Pts (2023 Vintage)
Drinking Window: Now - 2031

"Inviting toasty, spicy oak opens to a rich and creamy palate with bright acidity. Garnacha Blanca brings intense saline notes and white floral character while the Viura is underpinning a long and graceful evolution. This is a well-crafted wine that speaks of the region. It finishes with a delicious savoury character."
Beth Willard

About the Producer

Valenciso was established in 1998 as a collaboration between ex Bodegas Palacios’ Luis Valentin and Carmen Enciso. With a wealth of experience in Rioja wine production, they decided to focus on just one style of wine - a classically structured, subtle and elegantly fine Reserva.

Situated in the town of Ollauri, just 4 km from Haro, they are at the north-west limit of Rioja Alta - with vineyards in Ollauri, Briones, Haro, Rodezno and Villalba. At altitudes of 400-600m, the climate here has a strong Atlantic influence, and the wind that blows in the summer evenings cools the grapes to enhance acidity, finesse and aromatic complexity.

From the very beginning Luis and Carmen have had a clear vision. They follow sustainable viticulture, do not use irrigation, and do not fine their wine. Significantly, they use concrete tanks for vinification, a strong statement when across Rioja traditional concrete tanks have been replaced with stainless steel. But they believe this is best in order to craft wines with longevity, and maintain freshness and vibrancy.

It is this quiet determination, integrity and emphasis on quality that have made this small winery one of the most respected by Rioja lovers and wine writers alike. The results speak for themselves.

Vineyard and Winery

Grapes are sourced from 80 year old vines on clay, stone soil in the North of the Rioja Alta area - these vineyards are of outstanding quality. Sustainable viticultural practices are followed. The Viura and Garnacha Blanca bunches are destemmed, very softly pressed, and then transferred to 225 litre Caucasian oak barrels for fermentation (with indigenous yeasts) and around 9 months ageing.