OLIVIER RIVIÈRE
Rioja Alta / Rioja Baja / Rioja Alavesa
Olivier Rivière is a busy winemaker with around 25 hectares of rented and owned vineyards in Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja, and Rioja Alavesa, as well as consulting work with other producers. He was originally drawn to Spain by Telmo Rodriguez in 2004 to convert his vineyards to biodynamics and fell in love with the rich history and diverse soils and grape varieties of Rioja. In 2006, he started his own project and gained access to grapes from the best sites in the region by trading his farming skills.
Olivier has a deep understanding of terroir and organizes his wines into a hierarchy based on quality, similar to the system used in Burgundy. He believes that terroir, rather than political boundaries or barrel aging, is the most important factor in winemaking. His vineyards are all farmed organically and biodynamically, and the fruit is harvested by hand. Fermentations are done with indigenous yeasts, and macerations are gentle and short. Aging takes place in a variety of vessels, including stainless steel and cement tanks, foudre, and barrel, with each chosen to enhance the expression of the terroir. Olivier uses minimal amounts of SO2 and follows the principles of minimal intervention and taste in his winemaking. His wines showcase the uniqueness of the sites and the transparency of the winemaking process.
Rivière is on the cusp of becoming a luminary in wine-making industry, a true paragon of vinification. His ascendancy is inevitable, and it would be wise to keep a close watch on his progress.
Owner
Region
Terroirs
Farming
Harvest
Size
Grapes Grown
Website
Vineland Rep.
Olivier Rivière
Rioja
Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja, and Rioja
Alavesa.
Organic
Manual
25 hectares
Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo, Garnacha, Viura, Malvasia,
Garnacha Blanca
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Olivier Rivière "La Bastid"
La Bastid is a sophisticated blend of Viura and Garnacha Blanca varietals, hailing from select plots of vines in the esteemed viticultural region of Labastida in Rioja Alavesa. The 2019 vintage marks a significant transition for the project, as it is now sourced from the red clay-limestone soils of the village of Cárdenas, where the winemaker has been expanding his vineyard holdings. The vintner holds this wine in high esteem, considering it a pinnacle expression within his internal hierarchy, comparable to a Côtes de Nuits Blanc in terms of its stylistic profile.
Appellation: Rioja
Variety: Viura, Garnacha Blanca
Age of Vines: 20–75
Farming: Organic
Soil: Red clay-limestone
Altitude: 550-600 meters
Fermentation: Hand harvested, whole cluster pressing, natural yeast fermentation in French oak foudres, 500-600L barrels and concrete tanks
Aging: 8-10 months in French oak foudres, 500-600L barrels, and concrete, vegan
Notes: Bright straw-gold. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh citrus and orchard fruits, pungent flowers and herbs and a hint of toastiness. Sappy and incisive on the palate, offering finely detailed, mineral-driven Meyer lemon, pear, nectarine and fennel flavors that slowly flesh out through the back half. Shows excellent clarity and minerally lift on a long, penetrating finish that leaves a hint of honeysuckle behind. Raised in a combination of concrete and French oak tanks and barrels.
93
2019
JS
92
2020
WA
Olivier Rivière "Mirando al Sur"
Mirando al Sur is a one-of-a-kind creation, crafted from the oldest vines of Viura, planted near the village of Labastida in Rioja Alavesa. It is named "Mirando al Sur" (Looking South) due to its unique aging process in used Sherry butts, following a whole cluster fermentation in oak vats. This wine defies easy classification within a Burgundian context, due to the distinct impact of its biologic aging process. The wines of Jura might provide a more apt analogy for this complex and captivating cuvée.
Appellation: Rioja
Variety: Viura
Age of Vines: 75
Farming: Organic
Soil: Rocky clay limestone
Altitude: 500 meters
Fermentation: Hand harvested, whole cluster pressing and natural yeast fermentation in foudre
Aging: Aged 6 months in foudre then 12 months two 600L former sherry butts (one Fino and one Amontillado), vegan
Notes: Light golden colour. Balsamic wood and tangerine aromas, with a subtle herbal and mineral-spicy accompaniment. In the mouth it is wide, creamy, with layered viscosity; seamless and rounded. The acidity is completely integrated with the rounded body, minerality and the yeasty and savoury background flavours. It has a concentrated, fruity finish. A Burgundian style with a touch of the south.
95
2019
JS
95
2019
WA
Olivier Rivière "Rayos UVA"
Rayos Uva is the winemaker's personal interpretation of a red Burgundy, sourced from the fruit grown in the sandy, gravelly, and alluvial soils of Rioja Baja. The blend is subject to the nuances of each vintage, typically composed of Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Graciano, with the percentages adjusted annually to create a lively, fruit-forward version of Rioja, untainted by oak influence.
Appellation: Rioja
Varietals: Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha
Age of Vines: 15-20
Farming: Organic
Soil: Alluvial, sand, gravel
Altitude: 350 meters
Fermentation: Hand harvested, partial whole cluster, natural yeast fermentation in tank.
Aging: Aged 6-8 months in tank, concrete vats and foudre, vegan.
Notes: Blueberry and blackberry aromas are spunky and a little earthy. A juicy, jammy palate is angular and fairly sharp. Wild berry flavors seem right off the bush, while this wine is tight and narrow on an acidic finish.
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91
2019
WA
93
2019
JS
Olivier Rivière "Gabaxo"
Gabaxo is a unique wine, a unique blend of fruit sourced from various terroirs within Rioja. The Tempranillo and Graciano varietals are sourced from Rioja Alavesa, grown in rocky, clay-limestone soils at 500 meters above sea level. The Garnacha is sourced from Cárdenas in Rioja Alta on red clay soils at 600 meters, as well as from Rioja Baja. Gabaxo is a playful and not wholly flattering term for a French border jumper, a nickname that the winemaker embraces with pride. Along with Bastid, the winemaker considers Gabaxo to be the Côte de Nuits version of Rioja in terms of its stylistic profile.
Appellation: Rioja
Varietals: Garnacha, Graciano, Tempranillo
Age of Vines: 20–65
Farming: Sustainable
Soil: Clay limestone, red clay, sand
Altitude: 300-650 meters
Fermentation: Hand harvested, whole cluster natural yeast fermentation in concrete vats
Aging: 12 months in foudre and 500L French oak demi-muids, vegan
Notes: Aromas of ripe red fruits, very floral, with a predominance of violet. The palate is fresh and tasty, with notes of strawberries, blackberries, spicy nuances.
93
2018
JS
92
2019
WA
Olivier Rivière "Ganko"
Ganko is an affectionate nickname bestowed upon Olivier by his Japanese importer, meaning "stubborn", a fitting trait for anyone blazing their own trail in the wine industry, particularly in Rioja. Sourced from a single site at 600 meters in elevation, near Cárdenas in Rioja Alta, the wine is crafted from 60-90-year-old Garnacha and Mazuelo grown in sandy and ferrous red clay soils. Olivier considers Ganko to be his premier cru village Rioja, a true expression of terroir and winemaking expertise.
Appellation: Rioja
Variety: Garnacha, Mazuelo
Age of Vines: 60-90 years
Farming: Sustainable
Soil: Sandy red clay
Altitude: 600 meters
Fermentation: Hand harvested, whole cluster, natural yeast fermentation in concrete tanks
Aging: 16–18 months in foudre and French oak demi-muids, vegan.
Notes: Cranberry and sour cherry, black pepper, still very closed, with a cool charismatic freshness. Soft and warm at the outset with a fine tannin grain and very juicy on the palate. Sophisticated with lively acidity, great length; unobtrusive yet full of density and body, pure elegance.
96
2016
JS
95
2019
WA
Olivier Rivière "Las Viñas de Eusebio"
Las Viñas de Eusebio is a wine that comes from two exceptional sites near Laguardia and Navaridas, known for their unique decomposed sandstone and limestone soils. Despite their relatively young age of around 20 years, Olivier holds these two sites in high esteem, believing them to be premier cru terroirs within Rioja Alavesa. He owns a portion of these vines and leases the rest to craft this wine.
Appellation: Rioja
Variety: Tempranillo
Age of Vines: 20
Farming: Sustainable
Soil: Sandy clay limestone
Altitude: 500-550 meters
Fermentation: Hand harvested, partial whole cluster, natural yeast fermentation in concrete vats
Aging: 16 months in foudres and 500L French oak demi-muids, vegan
Notes: This single-vineyard Tempranillo opens with smooth, straightforward dark-fruit aromas that are calm and collected. A deeply stacked palate is a touch fierce but well structured. Toasty blackberry and cherry flavors linger on a toast-etched finish.
94
2018
JS
94
2019
WA
Olivier Rivière "Pozo Alto"
According to records, Pozo Alto was registered in 1930, but it is believed to have been planted well before, making the vines approximately 90 years old. Located at the foot of the Sierra de Cantabria, just outside the village of Leza, Pozo Alto boasts a sandy clay soil of decomposed limestone and sandstone. This site is primarily planted with Graciano, with smaller amounts of Tempranillo and Garnacha, making it somewhat unique as Graciano fell out of favor after the phylloxera epidemic.
Appellation: Rioja
Variety: Graciano, Tempranillo, Garnacha
Age of Vines: 90+
Farming: Sustainable
Soil: Sandy clay limestone, sandstone
Altitude: 600 meters
Fermentation: Hand harvested, destemmed, natural yeast fermentation in vat
Aging: 24 months in a 600L French oak demi-muid, vegan.
Notes: Amarena cherry and shortbread on the nose with a little chocolate. A complex palate with ripe acidity, mellow, ripe tannin grain, and a clear but still youthfully tight fruit character. Despite the density and breadth there is also a transparent, quite light-footed structure.
96
2019
WA
97
2018
JS
Olivier Rivière "Losares"
Located in the village of Navaridas at an elevation of 500 meters above sea level is the vineyard where Olivier Rivière makes what he considers his Grand Cru Rioja – Losares. This site was planted in 1930 on decomposed sandstone and limestone soils. Typical of many older vineyards in Rioja, it is planted with a wide array of red and white varieties, with Tempranillo the dominant variety. Losares is a blend of Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo and small percentages of the remaining red varieties.
Appellation: Rioja
Variety: Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo, others
Age of Vines: 85+ years
Farming: Sustainable
Soil: Clay limestone, sandstone
Altitude: 500 meters
Fermentation: Hand harvested, destemmed, natural yeast fermentation in concrete vat
Aging: 24 months in 500L French oak demi-muids, vegan
Notes: The cherry-hued libation exudes a complex, expressive bouquet replete with spicy, mineral undertones, red fruit nuances, balsamic and bush herb undercurrents, culminating in an elegant, full-bodied, long-lingering palate.
95
2019
WA
96
2018
JS
