Ripa Rosado, Jose Luis Ripa 2017

The rosé 2017 RIPA Vino Rosado was produced with the must from the bleeding of 85% Garnacha and 15% Tempranillo from the Najerilla Valley. It fermented and matured in 500-liter oak barrels for 18 months. The wine is medium-bodied, with 13% alcohol and good freshness, hence easy to drink but still complex. It has notes of strawberry and an herbal twist with a medium-bodied palate. The oak is still noticeable, and there is a sweet twist in the finish. 3,300 bottles were filled in March 2018. Drink 2022-2025.

Broad, fruity and fascinating! Lots of age and lightly oaky rioja character. Great stuff! A real addition to the wine canon. A youthful López de Heredia Rosado?

José Luis Ripa Sáenz de Navarrete is the husband of María José López de Heredia from the Viña Tondonia winery in Haro, and he's also the commercial director of the firm. Since 2016, he has had a small personal project where, for now, he produces one rosé from one hectare of 35+-year-old vines in the village of Hornilleja in the Najerilla Valley in Rioja Alta. Only 4,000 bottles.