90 Points - Tim Atkin MW. From the modern style Casa La Rad, highly regarded by wine supremo Tim Atkin, comes this exceptional value white Rioja. A blend of Virua, Verdejo Chardonnay, and Malvasia, the Solarce Blanco is partially fermented in large oak barrels and aged on fine lees to give an elegant and beautifully fresh wine with body and texture to boot!

Wine Press Ratings

90 Points - Tim Atkin MW (La Rioja Special Report) (2020)

"Solarce is an unusual blend of mostly Viura with 47% Verdejo, Tempranillo Blanco, Chardonnay and Malvasía, all sourced from Casa La Rad's extensive estate in Ausejo. Very lightly wooded, it has peach, nectarine and lemon flavours and appealing zip and freshness. 2023-25

Taste

Attractive bright greenish-yellow colour. Subtle and elegant with just a touch of minerality giving a combination of aromas of white blossom and fruit with the aromas produced during the ageing on fine lees.

It has a lovely fresh attack and yet also has plenty of body and volume which, together with well-balanced acidity, make it a lively, fresh wine with a long aftertaste.

The Solarce Blanco is a blend of Chardonnay, Viura and Malvasia. A tenth of the production was raised for 6 months in 500 litre French and American oak barrels. The rest were fermented in stainless steel tanks.

About the Producer

This large, family-owned estate in the northern foothills of the Iberian Massif (Valle de Ocón) encompasses 2,000 acres; composed of 1,360 acres of indigenous wood with a mixture of species from mountain and Mediterranean environments, 272 acres of vineyards, and 37 acres of olive groves. The remainder of the estate is dedicated to growing almonds and cereal crops.
The winery's focus in production is to seek a balance between their activity and the local environment so as to sustain or improve its vitality and biodiversity. They see the environment as not just the part related to nature, but also that related to the human beings who live and work in those surroundings.