Siglo Etiqueta Verde 1966 Blanco

Wine: Siglo Etiqueta Verde 1966 Blanco
Winery: Bodegas Félix Azpilicueta Martínez - AGE Bodegas Unidas (Fuenmayor, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 100% Viura.
ABV: 11.5% vol.

Winemaking:
The white grapes were sourced entirely from smallholders in Rioja Alta. Most of the production was vinified in local cooperatives under the supervision of Félix Azpilicueta’s winemakers. The remainder, from nearby growers, was acquired as must and vinified at the Fuenmayor facilities. The wine spent 12 months in large foundational wooden vats. After fermentation, it was racked into used 225-liter American oak barrels for a period of approximately 24 to 30 months, with two manual rackings per year. It was bottled in 72 cl containers, immediately wrapped in traditional jute sacks, and rested for at least 12 months in the winery’s cellars before release.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Intense golden-yellow color with a fine deposit of bitartrate crystals at the base. (Note: Despite a saturated cork, the high-quality capsule ensured a high fill level). It features brilliant amber and coppery reflections and a notably glyceric texture, forming large, slow-moving legs.

 

Nose: Potent and dominated by a woody profile characterized by toasted notes and beeswax. It is remarkably clean, showing no unpleasant reduction or the excessive rancio notes found in the 1961 or 1969 vintages. It requires time to breathe, gradually revealing hints of candied orange and white pepper over a discrete vegetal and spicy backdrop of star anise, turmeric, ginger, dried galangal, and fennel. With further aeration, a citrus note of preserved lemon emerges. A serious and distinctive white wine.

 

Palate: Arguably the finest white ever tasted from this winery. It is integrated and mature, where the bitter and creamy nuances of the oak contrast beautifully with an off-dry (abocado) touch of reduced fruit. It maintains a sharp, guiding acidity—a hallmark of these historic vintages. While it could benefit from a bit more presence, it is thoroughly convincing.

 

Commentary:
This 1966 Siglo Etiqueta Verde is a fascinating example of the traditional white Rioja style, protected by its iconic jute wrapping. It strikes a balance between the oxidative charm of long barrel aging and a persistent freshness. It is a more precise and cleaner version than its surrounding vintages, showcasing the potential of pure Viura when treated with extensive wood maturation.

 

Personal Score: 85
Tasting Group Average: 86