2014 Laventura Malvasia Rioja

A new K&L Direct Import! Native South African Bryan MacRobert grew up in a farming family, and has been quietly making some of that country's best value wines. He fell in love with a girl from Rioja as well as the region's wines (we forget in which order) but quickly became fascinated with the inimitable terroirs and endless potential for wines in the region. A proponent not only of organic viticulture, but also a strong believer in the importance of legacy organically cultivated vines on top quality sites, Bryan is picky about where he grows and sources vines. The winemaking is no frills but clearly well thought out and opinionated; think lots of smaller cement vats and wood in sizes greater than 225l barriques. He's a fan of Stockinger cooperage. Particularly with the whites, these are wines where transparency, minerality and acidity drive the style. Bryan is a huge fan of Rioja white wines, and gives them the true respect that they deserve! This Malvasia sees roughly two weeks of maceration on the skins, giving it a unique style relative to other white Riojas, while retaining delicious fruit and overall balance. (Joe Manekin, K&L Spanish wine buyer)