This wine made its first impression on me at a Tesco press tasting. This 2023 vintage sits at 13% ABV and is made from a blend of 90% Viura and 10% Tempranillo Blanco, produced by Barón de Ley. It’s vegan-certified and has spent time on lees, followed by four months in American oak barrels.
The aroma leans towards tropical with a gentle backdrop of oak, suggesting something bright yet grounded. On the tongue, there’s a mix of fruit, oak and a soft, bready richness with a warmth that lingers slightly at the end. What’s striking is how rounded it feels even when cold. Once it starts to warm, the oak becomes much more pronounced and begins to dominate.
Despite still being a wine I really enjoy, two things took me by surprise. I expected it to pair beautifully with chicken, but it didn’t quite deliver, a reminder of how unpredictable wine and food pairings can be. I also assumed it would improve as it warmed up from fridge temperature, but for me, it was one of the few that actually shone more straight out of the fridge, cooler, lighter, more refreshing.
It’s a bold wine, full of character. If it makes sense, think of an oaked Chardonnay stripped of its Chardonnay-ness and replaced with something more tropical and energetic.
At £9 from Tesco, or just £6.75 during their 25% off promotions, it offers serious flavour and intrigue for very little money.
