Telmo Rodriguez, Sierras de Malaga (Andalucia, Spain) 2017

 Telmo Rodriguez, whose family has owned  Rioja’s legendary Bodegas Remelluri since 1967, could have just followed in his father’s footsteps.  Instead, he and his friend, Pablo Eguzkiza, traveled the region looking for old vines to make wines that reflect their origins.  He built a modern winery, Bodega Lanzaga, built into a hillside where these unique wines are made.  The Mountain Blanco is made of Muscat of Alexandria, which is responsible for many famous sweet and fortified wines.  Rodriguez shows us that this grape can produce delicious dry wines, too.  It is a remarkably fresh wine for its age with charming floral, peachy aromas and flavors, ripe round and rich in the mouth.  It is dry with zesty acidity.  While the richness in the mouth and fruity, floral flavors may give the impression of sweetness the wine is dry, a perfect partner for a spicy Thai curry.