Suzzane 2020

“Oxer is a very exciting new project using old vine parcels from the Rioja Alavesa. This stunning white comes from a 96-year-old, one-hectare parcel in Elvillar and is a blend of Viura with 3% Malvasia, aged is used French oak. It’s a modern/traditional cross over style, with citrus peel, aniseed and nutmeg notes and good grip and depth.”.

TIM ATKIN, MW

Young Soul

Oxer always wanted to make wines in La Rioja Alavesa and in 2005 he moves to Laguardia convinced of the uniqueness of the area. In  2009 he makes his first wine with grapes purchased from the growers in the area (grapes from old vineyards). The experiment succeeds. He falls in love with this  region and its stunning vineyards. Oxer then decides this is the place where he wants to settle and further express the art of winemaking. Relatively new to the region, but already enjoying national and international recognition.

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Old Vineyards 

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Convinced of their singularity, Oxer invests each cent earned in buying old plots. Artillero is one of these beauties: 98 years old, located in Elvillar  (La Rioja Alavesa) at 600 metres altitude and creator of the white Iraun and red Artillero. This is only just the beginning. Oxer is in continuous search for old jewels. A visionary man with a plan: achieving immortality of his wines.  

Eye for quality and detail

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The vineyards in La Rioja Alavesa are worked organically following the principle of regenerative agriculture. Man and mule work the land with great care and respect for the old vines. Different kinds of European oak are being selected for each and every single wine, and barrels and foudres are tailor-made accordingly (Francis and Stockinger). Even naming and labelling are carried out with minute detail for meaning and symbolism, expressing oxer´s universe.

Elegance, freshness and refinement

All the meticulous work in vineyard and winery culminates in extremely fresh and elegant wines. These are the characteristics Oxer strives for in all his wines. 
Old vines, only natural acidity by picking early, little extraction, spontaneous fermentation and fermentation and ageing in a mix of vessels (stainless steel tanks, concrete egg, amphorae, foudres and oak barrels different sizes) all contribute to achieving this fine wine profile.

​“Wines to drink and to store.  All human wisdom for the soft scent of wine”  OMAR KHAYYAM

DOCa Rioja

Varieties: 100% Garnacha

Production: 3.000 bottles.

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SUZZANE expresses perfectly the characteristics that Garnacha offers us in Riojan soils. Moreover does it reflect the respect we have for the old vineyards of the region.

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Vineyard

A vineyard of 3ha located in Cárdenas (Rioja Alta) at 580 metres altitude, dating back to 1903. It has an iron-rich clay soil with over 10% of rocks and gives low yields of 2000 kg per hectare. The various parcels this vineyard is comprised of show small differences which add to the complexity of the wine.

Winemaking

Fermentation takes place in 500 litre new and used (50/50) French oak barrels, using indigenous yeasts. During malolactic fermentation bâtonnage is carried once a week during 6 months. The wine is then racked and aged for approximately 12 months in the same 500 litre French oak barrels.

Character

Suzzane is a very elegant wine. The seductive velvet texture is balanced by juicy acidity and softly gripping tannins. Aroma´s of cherry, berry and kirsch, spicy flavours such as cinnamon, and some leathery notes. All leading to a lingering mineral aftertaste. 

What's in a name

Suzzane refers to Leonard Cohen´s song Suzanne and is an ode to women. Elegance is key in this wine.

Analysis

Alcohol 14,5%

Total acidity (in tartaric acid) 6,18 g/l

Acknowledgements

Suzzane 2015: 93 points – Guía Peñin 2019
Suzzane 2015: 93 points - Robert Parker 2018
Suzzane 2015: 93 points - Tim Atkin MW Rioja 2018 Special Report
Suzzane 2014: 91 points - Robert Parker 2016
Suzzane 2014: 93 points - Tim Atkin MW Rioja 2017 Special Report
Suzzane 2014: 92 points - James Suckling 2016
Suzzane 2013: 95 points, Outstanding - Decanter March 2017 (Best Premium Riojas)