Home
Categories: Rioja, Spain
Tags: Olivier Riviere, Rayos Uva, Rioja, Tempranillo, Wine
Rayos Uva
Olivier Riviere is a young Frenchman carving out a name for himself amongst the gnarled old bush-vines of Rioja Alta & Rioja Alavesa. Olivier originally hails from the Cognac region before studying winemaking at Montagne St-Emilion and honing his licks at Elian Da Ros in Cotes-du-Marmandais, and then at Domaine Leroy in Vosne-Romanée where he began absorbing as much knowledge on biodynamics as he could.
Olivier then spent some time with Fred Cossard at Domaine de Chassorney in St-Romain…again honing his natural winemaking skills before taking a job to convert an estates vineyards over to biodynamics in Rioja Alavesa. Deciding to stay in Spain, he started small renting a 1.2ha block and producing his first wine from the 2006 vintage.
The wines are certainly not your run of the mill, glossy, high octane, oh so modern Spanish numbers…they are sprightly and fresh with beautiful fruit definition.
The 2009 Rayos Uva is a blend of Tempranillo & Graciano….I like the name….”Ray’s Grapes”….there’s in song in that somewhere.
Deep satured soupy red/purple with bright heady aromas of dark berries and plums, black cherry with higher-toned redcurrant flashes. Plenty of cola, spice, licorice and some beefy/meaty aspects.
Medium-bodied on the palate with a sprightly gait, the bright crunchy red & dark berry fruits flow onto a lively mid-palate saturated with blueberry, black cherry, roast beef, soft spices and dark chocolate with a ferrous streak. A great example of a naturally made Spanish wine and a warning shot across the bows of the new school producers. An excellent, character-packed wine that is great value….simple I guess….but nervy and I’d rather drink a bottle of this than six of the modern gloop monsters.
It’s well measured and snappy….like brother Miles in a double breasted suit.
Price: $28
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 14.2%
2009 Olivier Riviere Rayos Uva
Magnolia
4 Responses
Love that photo of Miles, actually have it on the wall in the study. I do have a soft spot for this, my favorite bar in Laguardia has it ‘baja la mesa’ for those in the know..Have not seen it around in Aus, who is the importer?
Have you tried Telmo’s 09 LZ? Right up your alley I think…first certified biodynamic vintage and I think first vintage in the new bodega using big concrete tanks.
Hi Dave…..it’s a great shot…one of my faves also. Andrew Guard is bringing this one in along with Oliviers other wines….Jéquitibá and Ganko….I believe he makes a Rosado and another blend but I haven’t seen those in the country yet.
Haven’t tried the Telmo’s as yet….look forward to it…planning on hitting that “Terroirs”tasting in Melbourne in March so we’ll have to hook up for a few vinos and a meal…..I do have a case of mixed Lopez de Heredia wines on its way to me that I know you will interested in
Excellent, will be good to catch up. Remind me to bring the Bierzo ‘port’…
Looking forward to your thoughts on LdH. I love the whites, Spain’s greatest white wines in my mind. The rosado is a great wine, but I’m not so impressed with the reds. Impressive, bit they just don’t grab me.
BTW loving the site. Great concept and execution!
Thanks very much Dave….I look forward to catching up in Melbourne!
I agree on the LdH wines…the whites absolutely blow me away….I think the current release for the Gran Reserva is 1987?….anyhoo….love the Rosado and sit in the same camp as you with the reds…I enjoy them but not blown away.
BUT!…..a little birdie told me last week that Maria José Lopez de Heredia is planning a visit to out shores….mid-2011….I look forward to catching up with her again and trying the new wines…fantastic estate and a lovely woman.