2021 Oliván-Ruiz Custero Rioja

A blend of red and white grapes including Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Monastrell, Viura, Malvasia, Malvasia Riojana, Garnacha Gris and Calagraño. Organically farmed, hand harvested and cofermented together with whole cluster, partial carbonic fermentation by native yeast in open top fermenters. Aged in 2nd use barrique and concrete. SO2 at bottling only. Many houses still make this style of wine but it is rarely exported. Custero is an attempt to capture the charm of this style but with more refinement and complexity. It is whole cluster fermented but with more extraction than with fully carbonic wines. Pours a dark color but is surprisingly light and fruity for Rioja, with blackberry, smoke, peppery spice, earth and delicate oak notes. Medium bodied, medium plus acidity and medium grippy tannin.