2010 Elefante Vino de la Tierra de Castilla Blanco

Posted on March 18, 2011 by Jeremy Pringle

Spain, Castilla 13% Screwcap $12.99

A snappy white blend from Spain. Imported by Fourth Wave Wine.

Macabeo (a grape that is also blended with Xarel-lo and Parellada to make Cava), Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc form its make up and it has enough length, depth and texture to make it worth seeking out.

Smells of stone fruit kernels, yellow pears, bananas, limes and lemons, passionfruit, soap and nettles. Really enjoyable balance of tart, bitter and sweet flavours on a slightly nutty palate. Mild viscosity and lees derived softness are pitched against crisp acids and minerals. Good mouthfeel and a pebbly finish with quiet a bit of penetration.

A very appealing, if unassuming, fruit driven white. Excellent value.

Importer- Fourth Wave Wine

This entry was posted in Castilla, Macabeo et al, Spain, Verdejo et al, White Blends. Bookmark the permalink.

5 Responses to 2010 Elefante Vino de la Tierra de Castilla Blanco

  1. stu says:
    March 19, 2011 at 12:35 am

    I'm liking the sound of these Elefante's. Patrick reviewed the Shiraz/ Tempranillo (and I assume you have it too from 4th Wave).

    I've seen the Shiraz/ Tempranillo around Brisbane in Chalk & Cheese, however it was north of $20. So either they're making a good margin on it, or may be you were given wholesale prices (PH has the S/T at $12.99 too)

    Cheers

  2. gooddrop says:
    March 19, 2011 at 5:17 am

    Do you know the blending %s? From your notes, sounds like enough Verdejo and SB to perk up the duller Macabeo

  3. Jeremy Pringle says:
    March 19, 2011 at 11:57 pm

    Stu- double checked and the RRP provided is $12.99. I've made an enquiry to ensure that is correct. I don't have any other Elefantes to review but do have a few other imports from Fourth Wave which I will get onto the site in the next week or so.

    Jesse- I don't have the percentages for the 2010 but, FWIW, the website lists the 2009 as being "45% Macabeo, 40% Viura, 10% Verdelho, 5% Sauvignon Blanc". Will see if I can get more information on this vintage.

  4. Jeremy Pringle says:
    March 20, 2011 at 1:20 am

    Ok, definitely $12.99 RRP.

    The 2010 is 65% Macabeo, 15% Viura, 15% Verdejo and 5% Sauvignon Blanc. It certainly possessed enough vitality when tasted.

    On the matter of Macabeo and Viura (of which I was unsure), they are, of course, the same grape variety but Macebeo is called Viura when grown in Rioja.

    cheers
    j

  5. stu says:
    March 21, 2011 at 12:23 am

    Thanks Jeremy. Think I'll stay clear of buying at C&C in that case. Tho I'm happy for indies to make a $ or $$, not necessarily so at my expense if I know what the RRP is.

    Thanks again

    Stu

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