Urbina Espumoso Sparkling Brut Rioja 2017

Urbina "Valle del Angel" Espumoso (Sparkling) Brut Rioja, Spain, 2017

Grape: 100% Viura

Not all Cava is made in Penedes. Some comes from Rioja!

Winemaking:

Made by the traditional (Champenoise) method. This Brut pas dosé (zero dosage) uses Viura grapes from vineyards more than 35 years old in the Valle del Ángel area in Cuzcurrita. For the base wine, after harvesting, the entire clusters are gently pressed to extract the must, which ferments slowly at 18ºC, working the fine lees to provide structure and smoothness. Finally, during the second fermentation, it has spent a minimum of 15 months confined in the bottle, with subsequent manual disgorging without freezing.

Urbina Quality Sparkling Wine – Cuzcurrita Municipality – Brut 2017

Appearance:

Pale gold with a steely edge, with slightly greenish tones. Luminous and very shiny appearance with fine and persistent bubbles that slowly travel through the glass forming a crown of delicate lace foam.

Nose: Medium intensity dominated by citrus notes, stone fruits, melon, notes of jasmine, fennel in addition to herbs and notes of sweetness in the background. Also some pastries due to the time it remains in contact with its lees and gives it aromas of yeast, brioche and biscuit. Great finesse and elegance.

Palate: Creamy foam, with refreshing acidity, ample volume and tasty hints of lemon mousse on a brioche background. Very long in the mouth with good maturity and complexity. In attack it is sweet, fruity and of good ripeness, with hints of apricot, melon, grapefruit and a touch of honey on a background of fennel bulb, hay and white flowers. Finally, a tasty, balanced and fresh mid-palate, with a clear aftertaste and pleasantly bitter nuances. 

"Tasted blind. Golden. Roasted apple, honey. Pretty champenoise in style. Penetrating, powerful and intense acidity. Well crafted. Undoubtedly a product well conceived and very well worked in terms of the balance between acidity and sweetness. "  Drink 2021-2025

16/20 points, Ferran Centelles, JancisRobinson.com, March 2022 

Also rated 89/100 points by Tim Atkin MW, October 2022