Altos R Pigeage Blanco Rioja 2021

Winemaker Jean-Marc Sauboua may have perfected his craft at Bordeaux’s famed Château Haut Brion, but he has Rioja, Spain’s premier wine region, in his blood (it is his mother’s homeland, after all). So, it came as little surprise when he founded his bodega, Altos de Rioja, which has gone on to become one of the region’s most awarded wineries.

Altos de Rioja’s flagship ‘Pigeage’ wines are beloved by our many Rioja fans—and are always smash hits on the international awards circuit. Case in point: Altos R Pigeage Blanco, a seductive, oh-so-rich white wine, made with Rioja’s star white grape, Viura. It sports three coveted gold medals and three 90+ point scores (so far!).

What’s setting these wines apart? It starts with premium grapes, carefully tended and hand harvested. Back in the winery, head winemaker Amaia Amestoy (below) employs the painstaking pigeage method—a time-consuming process of hand-punching down the grape skins as the wine ferments—which slowly draws extra character out and into the wine. After a year-long slumber in French oak barrels, the wine had reached its creamy, opulent peak.

Look forward to aromas of ripe orchard fruit notes, underpinned by subtle floral characters. The palate follows through with juicy peach flavors, supported by hints of citrus fruits. The finish is long and smooth, with a creamy vanilla edge.

You’ll have to hurry for a taste, though. Amaia and Jean-Marc made painfully few cases.