Altos R Pigeage Blanco 2018

Haut-Brion trained Jean-Marc Sauboua was raised in Bordeaux, but has a Spanish mother. For many years he’s made wine for us all over the world, Bordeaux in particular, but when he decided to start a little project of his own, Rioja was his only thought. And only the very highest parts of the appellation – indeed, his vineyards are the highest in the region. Right from the start Jean-Marc’s aim was to make a Grand Cru style of Rioja, wines full of fruit and with balanced oak. Pigeage (pronounced peajarge), both red and white, is his flagship wine and in just eight vintages has won over 70 Golds. This 2018 alone has 5 Golds. Old vine Viura plus high grown Chardonnay, aged in French oak, this is intensely citrusy with toasty oak complexity.