2021 Rioja Blanco 'La Bastid', Olivier Rivière
The white 2020 La Bastid was produced with 70% Viura and 30% Garnacha Blanca from Cárdenas, one-third fermented in concrete, one-third in foudre and one-third in 600-liter barrels, where the wines matured for one year with lees but without bâtonnage. It has 13.5% alcohol and is young, fresh, aromatic, fruit driven with floral notes and a light and fresh palate. There was a change in 2018, when he started with concrete (in the past it was 100% in oak), and the wine is fresher and younger. It doesn't have a lot of acidity; it's serious and austere with a twist in the finish. It was bottled in September 2021.
92/100 Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate July 2022
In just 10 years Olivier has established himself as one of Spain's most revered winemakers. His wines have rapidly become amongst Spain's most sought-after, with all of the top restaurants and "in the know" collectors seeking them. Only small quantities are made, and in some instances tiny quantities...
We have had a great response to Olivier Rivière’s small production of Rioja and Arlanza wines since we first introduced them some years ago. I met first Olivier in Deauville, France where he was showing his wines at a wine fair that featured may producers that I was interested in. I had heard great things about his wines and was very keen to work with Spanish wine. Needless to say I wanted the wines to be good but I loved them! I gave him an order on the spot and we haven’t looked back.
It's hard to put you finger on what makes these wines great. All the wines have lovely balance and a purity of fruit that I rarely see. Most of all though they have superfine texture and cashmere-like tannins - they can be full bodied but are very lithe and incredibly drinkable!
92/100 Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate July 2022
In just 10 years Olivier has established himself as one of Spain's most revered winemakers. His wines have rapidly become amongst Spain's most sought-after, with all of the top restaurants and "in the know" collectors seeking them. Only small quantities are made, and in some instances tiny quantities...
We have had a great response to Olivier Rivière’s small production of Rioja and Arlanza wines since we first introduced them some years ago. I met first Olivier in Deauville, France where he was showing his wines at a wine fair that featured may producers that I was interested in. I had heard great things about his wines and was very keen to work with Spanish wine. Needless to say I wanted the wines to be good but I loved them! I gave him an order on the spot and we haven’t looked back.
It's hard to put you finger on what makes these wines great. All the wines have lovely balance and a purity of fruit that I rarely see. Most of all though they have superfine texture and cashmere-like tannins - they can be full bodied but are very lithe and incredibly drinkable!
