Sin Rival 1964 Blanco

Wine: Sin Rival 1964 Blanco
Winery: Bodegas Franco-Españolas (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 70% Viura, 30% Garnacha Blanca, Malvasía Riojana, and other local varieties.
ABV: (Not specified)

Winemaking:
Grapes sourced from estate vineyards and small-scale growers in Rioja Alta. The wine spent 12 months in large, early 20th-century wooden vats for fermentation and initial settling. It was then aged for 30 to 36 months in neutral 225-liter American oak barrels. A minimum of 24 months of bottle aging in the winery’s subterranean cellars was required prior to its commercial release.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: It maintains a seemingly impossible color for a white wine of its age: intense yellow, falling just short of golden; brilliant, limpid, and devoid of sediment. (Note: The cork was in pristine condition—elastic and barely soaked). It features vivid, sparkling reflections, suggesting that oxidation has been radically kept at bay. At 50 years old, it presents as an absolutely youthful white, making it impossible to guess its true vintage by sight alone.

 

Nose: Potent and complex, initially dominated by attractive toasted and creamy oak nuances, such as vanilla, which remains remarkably distinct despite the extensive bottle aging. It offers an intriguing exotic touch of curry and turmeric, intertwined with nut shells and bitter almonds. As it opens, a core of dried fruits (currants, sun-dried apricots) emerges, and the wine breaks free from its "oak corset." Diáfano and expansive, it overflows with stone fruit and that signature "syrupy" house style typical of Franco-Españolas, revealing notes of nectar, greengage plums, sweet citrus (citronella, preserved lemon), and a refined finish of fresh mint and white pepper.

 

Palate: Impeccable execution. It displays total balance and roundness, with a marked freshness that sits comfortably atop a slightly off-dry (abocado) profile. This sweetness is masterfully countered by a wild, piercing acidity. An expansive and grand wine that defies conventional expectations for aged whites.

 

Commentary:
This 1964 Sin Rival is a monumental wine that shatters preconceptions, proving that Rioja produces world-class whites capable of rivaling the most prestigious regions on earth. It highlights the decisive importance of proper cellaring and the extraordinary longevity of the Viura-Garnacha-Malvasía blend. A luminous, expressive masterpiece that remains vibrant and defying of time.

 

Personal Score: 98
Tasting Group Average: 97