The 2009 Allende Blanco is a blend of 90% Viura and 10% Malvasia from very old vines that were fermented in new Allier barrels with regular lees stirring, spending a total of 14 months in oak. It has a light nose with hints of pear and lychee, with lanolin notes emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a rounded, slightly honeyed entry that is immediately captivating. It is very well-balanced and generous in the mouth with a gradual build towards its honeyed, apricot finish, and a tang of ginger on the aftertaste. Excellent. Drink now-2018. I am heading towards Miguel Angel de Gregorio’s winery in the village of Briones and conversing in English since my Spanish is not exactly “fluent.” We are discussing this morning’s forthcoming tasting and Miguel enquires how many wines I would like to taste? “Well. How many wines do you have?” I reply. “Sixteen,” he answers and given that, for once, I am not as pressed for time, I nonchalantly promise to taste them all. Miguel practically jumps out of his seat with excitement. He cannot believe it. It is only when I enter his tasting room and survey a never-ending line of bottles that I realize that he actually meant sixty. But hey, this is my first visit, and what could be a better introduction to one of Rioja’s most celebrated and occasionally recalcitrant winemakers by tasting every single wine the estate has ever released (including Finca Nueva, which is listed separately)? Unfortunately, space limitations in the print edition of The Wine Advocate would not allow for all sixty reviews to appear in print, but they are all available on www.eRobertParker.com. “Martires” is sourced from old Viura vines planted in 1970 and usually sees aging in new French oak and regular batonnage. Again, the wines appear to have the balance and substance to age with style, often developing almost Rhone-like honeyed and beeswax aromas. Most of these wines will repay ten years cellaring. As for the red wines, I will be honest and say that not every vintage hit the bull’s eye, but that is a trait I admire, a wine that follows and reflects the vicissitudes of the growing season rather than foolishly trying to smother them out. With respect to the Allende (Tinto), the 2001 formed the highlight, though I suspect it will be surpassed by the 2009 in the future. The optimal drinking age appears to be around a decade, although there is no doubt that the best vintages have a longer evolutionary cycle. The Calvario vineyard was planted in 1945: a two-hectare, southeast facing parcel on reddish, ferrous clay soil with gravel and stone. It is cultivated with Tempranillo, plus 8% Garnacha and 2% Graciano. The wine is raised entirely in French Allier barriques of which 30% are new each year. Importer: Jorge Ordonez, Fine Estates from Spain, Dedham, MA; tel. (781) 461-5767.

Slightly sweet smelling, with butterscotch and salinic notes to the soft, somewhat bland nose. Feels fleshy, with modest acidity and creamy flavors of apple, banana and melon. Mellow late, with a creamy, vanilla-tinged finish. Viura and Malvasia. ——M.S.(2/1/2012)—— 88