Bodegas Prado Rey bl8 Birlocho 2010

Prado Rey
bl8 Birlocho 2010
Rueda DO, Spain
$17-20 +429845 available at select private liquor stores

www.pradorey.com

When you visit Ribera del Duero, in the heart of Spain and the heartland of the dark berry Tempranillo grape, bring extra toothpaste. By the end of the day in the bodegas, my tainted black teeth were screaming out for 1 – cerveza or 2 – white wine. The mighty Tempranillo grape dominates the vineyards, rightfully so, as it’s perfectly suited to the soils and climate in the area. But what about whites? What about refreshment? Many wineries, like Ribera’s grand Prado Rey, also have holdings in other Spanish regions that are better suited to growing white grapes. Such is the case with Prado Rey’s bl8 Birlocho, sourced from nearby Rueda DO. And let me tell you – tasting through their refreshing whites was a very welcome break after days of dozens of big reds.

Prado Rey is best known for their enormous estate in Ribera del Duero, once a 16th-century farm and hunting area for Royal families. The 3000 hectares property dedicates 520 acres to vineyards, all drip irrigated and parceled off by clone and variety. The same care and dedication to quality has been shown to their much smaller Rueda vineyard, a clay based site in La Seca. Bl8 is a blend of old vine (averaging 60 years old) Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc. After going through malolactic fermentation in stainless steel, the wine spent 3 months on the lees, picking up all the creamy completeness from the spent yeast. Bright and lively grapefruit crisp acidity, Verdejo’s slender tropical fruit, leesy mouthfeel and zesty, herbal zip of Sauv Blanc all come together remarkably well in this wine, finished off with an anise bitterness. Nice balance and weight for such a light and fresh wine.  Partner with seafood risotto, or (if the opportunity presents itself) after a long day in the vineyards.

Rating:  (click here to see what our wine ratings mean)

EATrecommends

Bodegas Prado Rey bl8 Birlocho 2010

Bl8 is a blend of old vine (averaging 60 years old) Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc. After going through malolactic fermentation in stainless steel, the wine spent 3 months on the lees, picking up all the creamy completeness from the spent yeast. Bright and lively grapefruit crisp acidity, Verdejo’s slender tropical fruit, leesy mouthfeel and zesty, herbal zip of Sauv Blanc all come together remarkably well in this wine, finished off with an anise bitterness. Nice balance and weight for such a light and fresh wine.  Partner with seafood risotto, or (if the opportunity presents itself) after a long day in the vineyards.