Vinos en Voz Baja, Costumbres Blanco, Rioja, Spain, 2023

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Overview of the Wine
Vinos en voz baja is a winery located in the historic wine area of Rioja Oriental in the village of Aldeanueva de Ebro. Classic Rioja vineyards, viñas de vaso of the typical variety of the area, Garnacha, accompanied by other varieties that were always mixed such as Pasera, Tempranillo, Garnacha Roya, Graciano de Alfaro, Viura and others. The wines are structured in three steps to represent the region: Rioja Oriental Zone Wine (Costumbres red and white), Village Wine from Aldeanueva de Ebro (Barrio Pastores), and Single Vineyard Wine (Erosivo).  

The elaboration of the wines is based on the stepped on the whole clusters and the fermentation and storage of the wines for a year in the tanks and barrels. The style of the wines is fine, with lightness and a little more alcohol than in other areas of Rioja, the Garnacha strawberry is the protagonist because the aging in the wood is lighter. The wines are ready to drink in the first few years, and the wines from the best plots can be very long-lived.

Carlos Mazo of Vinos en Voz Baja has been awarded the Young Winemaker of the Year 2023 by Tim Atkins. 

"This is another inspiring venture – so much so that Carlos is my young winemaker of the year – working with ten parcels spread over just six hectares in Aldeanueva, Alfaro, Autol, Calahorra, and Rincón de Soto. He started out in a garage in 2012 and has been in his own, very stylish boutique winery since 2020. The focus here is on old vine Garnacha (plus a bit of Calagraño and Tinto Velasco) of remarkable finesse and elegance" - Tim Atkin, Rioja Special Report 2023.

Winemaker
Carlos Mazo

Grape / Blend
40% Viura, 30% Pasera, 20% Garnacha Roya, 10% Tempranillo blanco

Origin
Rioja, Spain

Tasting Notes
The white wines grow over time with a unique style, which in this area of Rioja is expressed in a moderate acidity and elegance given by the good ripening of the grapes. 

92 Points - Wine Advocate (2022 Vintage) 
The white 2022 Costumbres Blanco was produced with a regional blend of 40% Viura, 30% Calagraño, 20% Garnacha Roya and 10% Tempranillo Blanco from individual vines interplanted with the red ones. All the musts fermented together, and the wine matured in used 300- and 400-liter oak barrels for 11 months. It has a moderate 12.5% alcohol and a pH of 3.3. It's primary, young and fruit driven, with notes of white fruit and flowers. It is elegant and balanced, with a serious finish. 2,200 bottles and 36 magnums were filled in August 2023.

Product size: 750ml