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Olivier Rivière Gabaxo 2018
Rioja, SpainGabaxo is Olivier’s only wine that blends fruit from a range of sites within Rioja. The Tempranillo is from Rioja Alavesa, planted on a rocky, clay-limestone soil at an elevation of 500 meters above sea level. The Garnacha is from a site near Cárdenas in Rioja Alta on red clay at 600 meters. Gabaxo is a not completely flattering term for a French border jumper – a nickname that Olivier embraces with pride. Olivier considers Gabaxo to be his Côte de Nuits version of Rioja. After a native ferment in concrete, this spent 12 months in foudre and 500L French oak demi-muids. Savoury and stony, this is built around fresh and dried floral black cherry, wild thorny blackberries, bacon fat, and ample stony flake salts. There's a beautiful freshness here, thanks to altitude, soils, and Olivier's light touch. Tannins are firm, long, and lightly grippy, carrying this to a lingering, saline finish. A beauty wine now in youth, this modern, fresh Rioja has time ahead still.Tasted: 20 July 2021Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:| ON | $30.95 | 750ml | consignment |
Blend: Tempranillo - Garnacha
