GATITO LOCO
CURRENT RELEASES

2021 Organic Rioja Blanco

90 POINTS - “The first thing that will catch your eye with this wine is the striking & rather fun label. This is an organic wine from the Rioja region, but one which focuses very much on what the vineyard offers, rather than just winemaking artifice, & is a blend of 70% Viura & 30% Tempranillo Blanc. Viura is also known as Macabeo & is a crucial component of sparkling Cava. It is a versatile, almost chameleon-like grape, depending on how it is treated. Tempranillo Blanco is an extremely rare variety, discovered only in 1988 in Rioja, being a mutation from the traditional red Tempranillo. It makes wines with good acidity & vibrant fruit. This blend is a pale green/gold. There are notes of nuts & stonefruit, with gentle citrus making an appearance. Florals, herbs, peaches, dried herbs & a minerally palate. Good balance & length here, but most importantly, good flavour, so it should drink very nicely over the next two to three years.”
Ken Gargett, WINEPILOT, Dec ‘22

2020 Organic Rioja

91 POINTS - “Another striking label with an exciting Spanish blend from Rioja, again organic. 70% Tempranillo & 30% Garnacha. This is deliberately very different to your traditional Rioja, with an emphasis placed on what the vineyard offers rather than what can be done in the winery with grapes harvested during the night to retain freshness. The wines undergo a cool fermentation for 15 to 20 days followed by another 12 days on skins, for post maceration, all of which is designed to focus on the fruit. Deep, dark maroon in colour. This is full of black fruits & chocolate, while also earthy & warm – one can’t help but imagine walking the hills of Spain with a glass in hand. Notes of roast meats, delicatessen touches, dried herbs with some early complexity emerging. Lot of flavour here, which is exactly what is intended & the wine is unoaked. It will age & drink well over the next five years.”
Ken Gargett, WINEPILOT, Dec ‘22