A rich, juicy and fresh example of white Tempranillo. We review the Ontanon Contrebia Tempranillo Blanco Coleccion Insolitos from Rioja.
Tempranillo Blanco from the El Aniceto vineyard located at 640 meters of elevation in the Quel district in Rioja, Spain. The wine is macerated on the skins and then aged for several months. It is also vegan friendly.
The Tempranillo Blanco grape comes from a mutation of the red Tempranillo grape that was found in a single vine in Rioja in the late 80s. (The two share 98% of the same DNA.) It was then cloned and grown more widely and officially recognized as a permitted variety in Rioja in 2007.
Despite the genetic similarities, the two are obviously very different grapes with different characteristics. Let’s check this one out!
Sample submitted for review. The 2023 Ontanon Contrebia Tempranillo Blanco Coleccion Insolitos can be found for as low as $14-$15. It is imported by Vino Del Sol.
From the winery:
2023 Ontanon Contrebia Tempranillo Blanco Coleccion Insolitos
VITICULTURE: The El Aniceto vineyard is located on the slopes of the Sierra in the Quel district, at a height of 640 metres. This plot was planted in 2013 in a loamy-sand soil (23.8% Loam, 61.2% Sand, 15% Clay). The altitude and significant exposure to sunlight makes ripening very slow aromatic properties multiply, increasing the natural acidity.
WINEMAKING: One of the keys to making this wine is the early morning harvesting so that the grapes do not exceed ten degrees centigrade and protect to the maximum the aromatic properties of the tempranillo blanco. Once in the winery, the must macerates gently with the skins to achieve the maximum extraction of the aromatic potential, then it is pressed very gently and any impurities are removed through a flotation system. The fermentation begins cold and then continues for 15 days at a controlled temperature of 16 degrees.
Another fundamental task is the work with the finest, most delicate lees over two or three months to increase the release of aromatic compounds and to obtain very delicate volume in the mouth feel. The fruit and acidity define a wine which aspires to be the clearest expression of this Rioja variety.
TASTING
Colour: Straw-yellow with greenish glints.
Aroma: A very elegant nose with aromas of pineapple, banana and cooking apples, as well as subtle hints of white blossom.
Taste: Its freshness, balanced acidity and the sensation of volume in the mouth are what stand out in this wine. With a long, lingering finish.12.5% Alcohol
The 2023 Ontanon Contrebia Tempranillo Blanco Coleccion Insolitos opens with quite an attractive and inviting aroma of pineapple, grapefruit and lemon plus some floral notes and a touch of banana.
The wine tastes rich, juicy and fresh and features similar flavors to the nose with plenty of acidity. This is really quite delightful to drink with a bit more body than your typical white, but it’s still very refreshing.
It ends crisp, clean, dry and long on the finish. This is delightful!
2023 Ontanon Contrebia Tempranillo Blanco Coleccion Insolitos
Looking for more of our favorite picks from Rioja under $25? Browse our multi-page listing along with more information on the wines of this popular, and unique, region!
You can also find more of our favorite vegan wines here.
Review Summary
Ontanon Contrebia Tempranillo Blanco Coleccion Insolitos Review • Reverse Wine Snob
A rich, juicy and fresh example of white Tempranillo. We review the Ontanon Contrebia Tempranillo Blanco Coleccion Insolitos from Rioja.
7.8
Pros
- Tasty example of the uncommon Tempranillo Blanco
- 89-90 Points, Highly Recommended
Cons
- Hard to find
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