El Calado del Espino is an elegant white wine from Rioja by winemaker José Gil, made from 100% Viura from two older vineyards in the locations of San Ginés (Labastida) and El Bardallo (San Vicente de la Sonsierra) on limestone-clay soils. The wine was aged 11–12 months in a combination of 500 l French oak barrels and 54 l demijohns following spontaneous fermentation with hand-harvested grapes, giving it a clean, fresh and balanced profile with aromas of white fruit, delicate floral and mineral notes, natural acidity and a long, harmonious finish that reflects the terroir and the careful work of the José Gil winery.
El Calado del Espino 2022 received very strong ratings from critics. The Wine Advocate-Luis Gutiérrez gave it 94+ points, placing this white Rioja among the highly rated white wines on the world stage.
Grape variety: The wine is made from 100% Viura, a traditional Spanish white variety that gives the wine freshness, delicacy and a pronounced terroir character.
Ageing: After hand harvesting, most of the grapes are pressed as whole clusters and fermented spontaneously in a combination of 500 l French oak barrels and 54 l glass demijohns, where the wine ages for 11 months, gaining complexity, depth and a harmonious texture.
Vineyard: The grapes come from two old Viura plots, one in San Ginés (Labastida) and the other in El Bardallo (San Vicente de la Sonsierra), which lie on limestone-clay soil at an altitude of around 500 m above sea level, giving the wine a precise structure and mineral character.
Tasting notes: Pale yellow colour with greenish highlights. Delicate aroma of white fruit and flowers with hints of minerality. Fresh and balanced taste with elegant acidity, mineral depth and a long, fresh finish.
Food pairing: Thanks to its freshness and mineral elegance, El Calado del Espino pairs beautifully with seafood, grilled fish, light white meats, salads or delicate cheeses, as well as dishes with citrus and herbal notes.
Alcohol content: 13%
Origin: Spain, D.O.Rioja
