Thousand Mils

Vignoble : Une sélection de raisins de l’un de leurs plus anciens vignobles, Tahoe, planté en 1915 et situé dans la région plus froide d’Elvillar à Rioja Alavesa.

Appellation : DOCa Rioja (sous-région: Rioja Alavesa)

Cépages : Principalement viura accompagné de malvasia et grenache blanc.

Récolte et production : Les raisins sont partiellement égrappés au-dessus de barils de 500 L et foulés aux pieds. La fermentation a lieu en présence de la peau et de la râfle et lorsque terminée, le vin est pressé et placé dans des barriques de 500 L usagées en chêne français. Le vin repose ensuite sur sa lie jusqu’à son embouteillage 24 mois plus tard.

Critiques :

Millésime 2019

• Thousand Mils is a stylish, complex Elvillar white that’s made with 14 different varieties, led by Viura, Garnacha Blanca and Malvasía. Notes of thatch, wild flowers and fresh bread segue into a palate that’s savoury, textured and appealingly tannic, with top notes of sweet Asian spices and some subtle, waxy evolution. Drink 2024-29.
  93 pts — Tim Atkin, Rioja Report 2024.

Millésime 2016

• Thousand Mils – a pun based on a Spanish proverb – is a village blend that is Viura-based with Malvasía, Calagraño, Garnacha Blanca and Moscatel and aged in Sherry butts. Mealy, bready and saline, this is wonderfully stony, fresh and layered, with some tannins from fermentation on skins and a fresh, tapering finish. Drink 2020-26.
  94 pts — Tim Atkin, Rioja Report 2020.

Millésime 2013

• The name of this brilliant wine is a deliberate mistranslation of a Spanish idiom about “a thousand milks”. Made from mostly Viura with some Malvasía, Garnacha Blanca, Palomino and Moscatel, it sees some skin contact and is handled oxidatively. Rich in colour, with a salty, Sherry-like tang, lots of leesy richness and some tannic, grape skin-derived grip. Drink 2018-23.
  94 pts — Tim Atkin, Rioja Report 2018.
• The white 2013 Thousand Mils is a selection of the best white grapes from all of their vineyards in Elvillar. It’s mostly Viura (60% to 70%) with some Garnacha Blanca and Malvasía Riojana, and, as in all old vineyards, there are also small percentages of other varieties. The grapes were hand destemmed and foot trodden, with fermentation started naturally. It spent three years in 225-liter French barriques. It has some developed aromas and a more oxidative profile than the rest of the whites, with notes of baked apples and an organic and earthy touch. The palate felt fresher but with similar advanced and ripe flavors. 900 bottles were filled in March 2017. Drink 2018 – 2023.
  89 pts — Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate #235 (Feb. 2018)

Millésime 2012

• A corruption of a Spanish idiom about a thousand milks, this is a brilliant blend of Viura with 10% each of Garnacha Blanca and Malvasia. “It’s not the wine, it’s the vines,” says David Sampedro of this stone fruit, citrus and wild herb-like white with its sappy, almost tannic note. Drink 2018-21.
  94 pts — Tim Atkin, Rioja Report 2017.

Millésime 2011

• This forceful white shows grip and depth. Honeysuckle, orange peel and vanilla notes frame pear, tarragon and marzipan flavors, with floral and spice details on the finish. Firm acidity and light tannins lend a muscular structure. Viura, Garnacha Blanca and Malvasia. Drink now through 2021. 90 cases made.
  93 pts — Thomas Matthews, Wine Spectator, March 2017