Conde de los Andes 2003 Blanco Semidulce

Wine: Conde de los Andes 2003 Blanco Semidulce
Winery: Bodegas Ollauri (Ollauri, Rioja Alta)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 90% Viura, 10% Malvasía
ABV: 12%

Winemaking:
Crafted exclusively from estate-owned vineyards in Rioja Alta with vines over 35 years old. A late harvest was conducted to ensure full ripeness after the other varieties had been picked. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks until the desired sugar levels were reached. The wine was then aged for 15 months in medium-toast 225-liter American oak barrels. Bottled in 50 cl containers, it underwent a minimum of three years of bottle aging in the winery’s underground cellars before release.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Intense yellow; remarkably youthful for its age. High sense of viscosity—oily with dense, persistent legs. Amber and golden reflections with muted brilliance.

 

Nose: Good intensity and expressive, displaying a very marked Mediterranean character. It features notes of wild herbs and medicinal undertones (rock tea, fenugreek, sea fennel), scrubland, white flowers, Spanish broom, and acacia. A honeyed backdrop emerges, blending with grapefruit and lemongrass infusions. It leans closer to a Mediterranean mistela than expected for a Riojan Viura. Open and joyful, it is fully expressive without being overly complex. It gradually reveals creamy oak notes and soft toast.

 

Palate: Surprisingly moderate sweetness, aligning more with traditional Riojan semi-sweet classics than a pure dessert wine. This provides a stark contrast to the aromatic profile. Balanced and somewhat thick (though less than expected), it is savory and broader than it is long. It possesses correct acidity and a sufficient finish. While it lacks the "punch" to reach the next level, it is technically sound.

 

Commentary:
An easy-drinking wine that lacks a bit of depth but remains pleasant. Tasted alongside Graciela from Bodegas Franco-Españolas and Federico Paternina, everything suggests it is the same wine marketed under different labels following the acquisition by United Wineries in late 2013. There are no notable differences between them.

 

Personal Score: 86
Tasting Group Average: 88