Olivier Riviere the winemaker, is young, mostly unknown and new to the wine world. Watch out! This winemaker is a star in the making.
Olivier is from the Cognac region of France, studied enology in Montagne St-Emillion, and is devoted to biodynamic vineyard techniques and natural winemaking with a focus on unsulfured wines.
This bottle is named Gabacho, the derogatory Spanish term for border jumper, namely French folks coming to Spain, namely Olivier himself.
If you have any preconceptions of wine from Rioja and Tempranillo, it is time to throw them away. Gabacho is a blend of 50% Tempranillo, 35% Garnacha, and 15% Graciano and is well…distinctly its own bottle in every way. And a great one at that.
Olivier focuses on terroir, old vines (the Tempranillo vines are 75 years old) and altitude. He believes that the cool night air purifies the acidity in the grapes and lets the taste be both rich and structured. Sounds like a handshake between Spanish and French wine cultures to me.
It’s a great bottle at $22. It’s a great bottle period.
Fruit forward and balanced. A medly of grape tastes and a really exciting blend of rich and subtle, wow and restrained, forward and structure. Bottled talent and taste here.
It is really difficult to find this bottle. But bookmark his name and keep an open eye. If there were wine futures for Olivier, I’d buy today.
My thanks to my wine guide and mentor, Christopher Barnes @ Chambers Street Wines for sending me home with this great bottle.
