Gatito Loco Organic Rioja Blanco 2021

The first thing that will catch your eye with this wine is the striking and rather fun label. This is an organic wine from the Rioja region, but one which focuses very much on what the vineyard offers, rather than just winemaking artifice, and is a blend of 70% Viura and 30% Tempranillo Blanc. Viura is also known as Macabeo and is a crucial component of sparkling Cava. It is a versatile, almost chameleon-like grape, depending on how it is treated. Tempranillo Blanco is an extremely rare variety, discovered only in 1988 in Rioja, being a mutation from the traditional red Tempranillo. It makes wines with good acidity and vibrant fruit. This blend is a pale green/gold. There are notes of nuts and stonefruit, with gentle citrus making an appearance. Florals, herbs, peaches, dried herbs and a minerally palate. Good balance and length here, but most importantly, good flavour, so it should drink very nicely over the next two to three years.