Olivier Riviere arrived in Logroño(Capital of teh Rioja Region) to work with Telmo Rodriguez on his Rioja project. His career was already extensive, he studied in Bordeux and worked in the area’s wineries, then went to Bourgogne to work in Domaine Leroy, one of the area’s most important wineries that works in biodynamics.
The Rioja Project is carried out with their own and rented vineyards. In Gabaxo’s case, they are ecologically cultivated Garnacha vineyards rented from two different areas, from Aldeanueva del Ebro in the Rioja Baja and from Cardenas in the Rioja Alta.
Rioja Gabaxo Olivier Riviere Biodynamic Wine, Wild yeast, French oak Maturation, full bodied but beautifully fresh and balanced. No new oak in Gabacho, but loads of classy Rioja character and sheer drinkability! Gabacho does see some wood, a small amount of old french barrels are used for ageing up to a year. This adds no flavour but helps to soften the wine slightly.
This really is lovely stuff, rich but very fresh and balanced red wine with a touch of the dark and brooding about it and a touch of the animal too. It benefits from decanting and also from good bottle ageing. Try it, it will change your mind about Rioja