Rioja: Bodegas Altanza
Visit a unique Rioja winery and discover Altanza, a place where wine tourism goes far beyond a tour with tastings.
Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 1986: best 1996 to 2026.
vintage10 yrs40 yrs42 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Atkin reviewed 2017 | 1986 | 97/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: dried apricot, beeswax, toasted almond, honey, saline
Palate: quince, preserved lemon, nutty depth, mineral
An extraordinarily rare white Gran Reserva, released decades after the harvest; the 1986 was relaunched to acclaim, with profound nutty, waxy oxidative complexity and electric acidity.
What it pairs with
-
Roast turbot
A grand white fish dish for one of Spain's grandest old whites. -
Kokotxas de merluza
Find kokotxas de merluza on TableJourney →
Hake cheeks in pil pil meet the wine's gelatinous, nutty depth. -
Aged hard cheese
Crystalline cheese sharpens the white's saline, honeyed finish.
How to serve Castillo Ygay Blanco Gran Reserva Especial
Allow 35 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 30 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 10-12°C. Cellar temperature (10-12°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a medium-sized white-wine glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Roast turbot, Kokotxas de merluza, Aged hard cheese. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
The white Castillo Ygay is among the rarest aged whites in Spain, held for many years before release. The relaunched 1986 vintage became a collector's wine.
- 1986: Vintage later relaunched as a landmark aged white
- 2017: 1986 Blanco released to critical acclaim
Facts
- Producer
- Marques de Murrieta · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Viura (95%), Malvasia (5%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Extended ageing in oak, often more than a decade, before release
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 250 to 500 at retail
- Drinking window
- 10 to 40 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1986
Frequently asked about Castillo Ygay Blanco Gran Reserva Especial
What does Castillo Ygay Blanco Gran Reserva Especial taste like?
On the nose, dried apricot, beeswax, toasted almond, honey, saline. On the palate, quince, preserved lemon, nutty depth, mineral. Structurally full-bodied, high acidity with a very long finish. An extraordinarily rare white Gran Reserva, released decades after the harvest; the 1986 was relaunched to acclaim, with profound nutty, waxy oxidative complexity and electric acidity.
When should I drink Castillo Ygay Blanco Gran Reserva Especial?
Drink 10 to 40 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Castillo Ygay Blanco Gran Reserva Especial?
Roast turbot is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Kokotxas de merluza and Aged hard cheese. A grand white fish dish for one of Spain's grandest old whites.
Is Castillo Ygay Blanco Gran Reserva Especial vegan?
No: the producer uses traditional animal-derived fining agents (typically egg whites or isinglass) during clarification, so the wine is not vegan.
What grapes are in Castillo Ygay Blanco Gran Reserva Especial?
The blend is Viura (95%), Malvasia (5%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.
Tags
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