Wine of the week: Faustino I Gran Reserva Blanco 2020
For its ‘wine of the week’, db has selected an “enticing” white Rioja from Bodegas Faustino.
Bodegas Faustino winemaker Juan José Díez “always knew” that he wanted to work in agriculture in some capacity.
Asked what his back label would say if he were a wine, Díez suggested: “A wine that has matured over time, developing a unique complexity and personality. My slow evolution has given me character, structure and balance, while preserving freshness and authenticity of my Rioja roots. Every sip reveals layers of experience, showcasing a maturity that only time can provide.”
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As for his suggested pairing with this Master Medal-winning wine, Díez opted for cod cheeks.
Faustino I Gran Reserva Blanco 2020
- Producer: Bodegas Faustino
- Grape varieties: Viura and Chardonnay
- ABV: 13.5%
- Approximate retail price: £28
- Medal: Master – Rioja Masters 2024
Pale gold in colour, this enticing wine has a very complex nose of white stone fruit, beeswax, lemon peel, mace, vanilla, hazelnut and coconut. Bone-dry, it is at the same time supple and mouth-filling, with fresh acidity and medium body, yet rich and rounded on the palate. The finish is long, and this is a complex and very classic wine. I finished the bottle on the day of the tasting with Rick Stein’s sautéed squid with garlic, parsley, tomato and courgette, which was a perfect match on a warm autumn evening. (Siobhan Turner MW)
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