Vintage: 2022
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | IZ101A22 | 12 x 75 | Natural Cork | Available |
Producer
Owned and run by Lalo Antón and his family, Izadi, which translates to ‘nature’ in the Basque language, is a project rooted in a passion for gastronomy and wine. The estate was founded in 1987 by Gonzalo Antón, Lalo’s father, who, at the age of 37 decided to create his winery with the aim of producing modern, perfumed, food-friendly wines that are true to their roots and a natural expression of the area. As well as the winery, the family also run the Michelin-starred restaurant, Zaldiaran, in nearby Vitoria.
The winery sits in the small village of Villabuena in Rioja Alavesa, the highest part of the region, at an elevation of 400-600 metres. Izadi owns 178 hectares of vineyards but also source grapes from an additional 108 hectares. Importantly, whether leased or owned, all the old vines have an average age of 45 years. They are located in a triangle formed by the three villages of Villabuena, Samaniego and Abalos. Due to the high elevation, there is a dramatic difference (up to 20°C) in temperature between night and day, which encourages the development of aromatics in the grapes. Their distinctive white calcareous soils are mainly planted with old Tempranillo vines, traditionally bush-trained for better exposure to the sun and ranging from 30-100 years of age. Once picked, the grapes arrive at the bodega, which is on a steep slope with 50 metres of incline. This allows for a gravity-flow winery, ensuring less pumping, which can stress the wines.
Ruth Rodriguez, head of the winemaking team, is a young and dynamic winemaker with experience in Sicily, New Zealand and Chile. Izadi’s Rioja Blanco `Selección` was the first Rioja white wine produced using all six indigenous grape varieties and comprises a blend of Viura, Garnacha Blanca, Maturana Blanca, Tempranillo Blanco, Malvasía and Turruntés. Currently, each variety is vinified separately, with only Viura and Malvasía undergoing fermentation and ageing in French oak. Izadi’s flagship wine, the Rioja Reserva, uses only hand-picked grapes from 30 to 40-year-old vines. The wine is aged for 16 months in American and French oak barrels, before two further years in bottle to qualify for Reserva status. Lively red and black fruit flavours combine with toast and spice notes, giving a remarkably complex wine for its modest price point.
Vineyards
The grapes for the Izadi wines are grown on 178 hectares of vineyard, all of which are either owned or leased on long term contracts, so Izadi have full control over production. Fruit for the Rioja Blanco comes from the Villabuena, Ábalos and Samaniego vineyards, planted in 1960 with a selection of native varieties. The White Maturana, White Tempranillo and some of the White Garnacha grapes are grown at a vineyard of high altitude, between 650 and 750 metres above sea level. The Turruntes and other White Garnacha grapes come from vineyards in Baños de Ebro, grown on clay and limestone soils.
Vintage
The 2022 vintage began with a dry winter and mild spring. A regular flowering meant that fruit set was also healthy. Summer temperatures were hot, which virtually eradicated the risk of disease but put the vines under extreme pressure. Steps were taken in the vineyards to help prevent them from shutting down, including adopting practices to preserve soil moisture and careful canopy management. The warm conditions meant that yields were slightly down on the previous year, however the fruit had ripened beautifully by harvest, presenting good aromatic and flavour intensity.
Vinification
The hand-harvested grapes were destemmed and cold pressed before being fermented. Each varietal was vinifed separately until bottling. The Viura and Malvasia grapes were fermented and aged in new French oak casks for 6 months, the rest of the grapes were fermented separately in stainless steel tanks.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
Lemon yellow in colour with bright, green tones. Succulent white and tropical fruit, citrus, floral notes, are complemented by deep, toasty and spicy aromas. On the palate, this wine is refreshing and well structured, with citrus and white fruit notes dominating, followed by a lightly toasted finish.
Alcohol (ABV)
13.5%
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Izadi | Rioja Reserva | IZ102 | Vegetarian Vegan Practising Organic | R Red | Factsheet |