Marqués de Riscal
Baron de Chirel Blanco 2024
Rioja DOCa
Marqués de Riscal has spent over 160 years proving that Rioja’s greatest wines are rooted in a French philosophy of terroir — and Barón de Chirel Rioja Blanco is its most compelling new expression of that belief. The sister wine to the celebrated Barón de Chirel red, this is the first white wine ever released under the label, sourced exclusively from the headlands of century-old bush vines in Rioja Alavesa — the most prestigious sub-zone of the DOCa. Rooted in ancient clay-limestone soils at elevation, these vines have been producing fruit for over a century, interplanted among the red varieties that have long defined the appellation. Their extreme age, deep root systems, and minuscule yields give this wine a concentration and sense of place that simply cannot be replicated. Production is extremely limited.
VINEYARD
This wine is made from white grapes of the Viura, Garnacha Blanca, Malvasía and Maturana Blanca varieties, sourced exclusively from the head-trained sections of centenary vineyards in Rioja Alavesa originally planted with red varieties, known locally as Patas Negras.
WINEMAKING
Harvested grapes are cooled overnight to 4°C before whole-cluster pressing the following morning, without destemming or crushing. The free-run must flows naturally after a light skin maceration, is lightly settled, then transferred directly to 600-litre French oak foudres. Spontaneous alcoholic fermentation is followed by approximately eight months of lees ageing, with weekly stirring carried out by rotating the foudres on rolling supports — a technique that avoids opening the vessels and limits oxidation. New oak is held to just 10%.
VINTAGE
A hot and rainy autumn led to rapid development in the spring; harvest began on September 10, with above-average ripeness.
TASTING NOTE
Floral aromas and stone fruit notes are complemented by admirable minerality. Great persistence and breadth on the palate, with subtle complexity from aging in foudres. Excellent acidity balances the ripeness and makes this an age worthy white.
FOOD PAIRING
White meats, rice dishes, light stews, Mexican and Japanese cuisine.
Color
White
Blend %
0% Viura, 0% Maturana Blanca, 0% Malvasia, 0% Garnacha Blanca
Appellation
Rioja DOCa
Alcohol
12.5%
Suggested Retail Price
$129
Reviews
Vinous - April 6, 2026 "The 2024 Blanco Baron de Chirel (Viura and other white varieties from Rioja Alavesa) was fermented in foudre and aged in barrel. Sourced from old vines, it opens with pear and field herbs, with evident oak shaping the profile. Broad and enveloping on the palate, chalky tension tightens the structure, leading to a flavorful finish marked by cream and caramel. Frank and distinctly Viura."
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
XR Rioja Reserva
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A tribute to the long line of winemakers that presided over the cellars of Marqués de Riscal who, in Bordelaise tradition, would mark special barrels with “X R” for “Extra Reserva.” The first vintage released in 2015; a blend of Tempranillo with Graciano aged in American oak for over two years.
Verdejo Organic Rueda
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Marqués de Riscal was the pioneer in developing the Rueda region, as they saw an area with the soils, climate, and grape (Verdejo) to produce fresh, balanced white wines. This 100% organic wine comes from Riscal’s estate vineyards, is crafted with minimal intervention, and is an attractive and delightful wine that exhibits the classic aromatic intensity and bright acidity of the variety.
Rioja Gran Reserva
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Marqués de Riscal Gran Reserva is a timeless wine which represents almost two centuries of winemaking skill. It has the traditional style of the Rioja Alavesa, with an elegance to its complex concentration, and recalls the aspirations of the founders of the bodega back in the 19th century. It is the wine made today that is a direct link to the bottles found in Riscal’s historical cellar, the largest such cellar in Europe with a collection of over 140,000 bottles dating back to 1860.
Frank Gehry Selection
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A wine destined to write some of the most beautiful pages of Rioja wine in the 21st century. It takes its name from one of the greatest architects of modern times and the creator of the emblematic Hotel Marqués de Riscal. From vineyards of over 80 years, the Frank Gehry Selección is a wine of pure hedonism. When it is made, production is between 3,000-5,000 bottles.
150 Aniversario Rioja
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Marqués de Riscal 150 Aniversario Gran Reserva is made only in exceptional vintages, celebrating the winery’s 150-year legacy and Rioja Alavesa’s winemaking tradition. Sourced from 80+ year-old, low-yielding vines, it delivers concentrated, expressive fruit. More powerful than classic Riojas, it remains elegant, resisting trends in favor of authenticity. Combining tradition and modernity, complexity and freshness, it stands as the truest expression of Rioja Alavesa.
Rioja Rosado
Rioja
Marqués de Riscal has produced outstanding rosé for over 60 years. Made from Tempranillo and Viura, this is the product of the young vines of the estate and has an uncommon combination of delicacy, freshness and refinement. Refreshing and with immediate appeal due to its natural fruitiness, the wine has lovely fresh flavors that unwind through its long, silky palate.
Baron di Chirel Rioja
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Born in 1986 from the Marqués de Riscal’s close relationship to some of the top winemakers in Bordeaux, the Barón de Chirel in many ways kicked off a new era of Rioja. Chosen from very old (80-110 years), low-yielding parcels of high-altitude Tempranillo and Cabernet vines around Elciego, these grapes undergo a meticulous process of selection before a special vinification process. The care that goes into this wine has cemented its prestige among discerning customers.
Arienzo Rioja Crianza
Rioja
Arienzo is a Crianza made from Tempranillo grown only in Rioja Alavesa, benefiting from the cooling effect of the Sierra Cantabria mountain range, and making it Marqués de Riscal’s first Vino de Zona. It is also the remarkable result of Riscal’s own vineyards and long term contract vineyards they manage, from a combination of pre-1970 plantings and their revolutionary program of grafting high quality old vine material to younger vines. It is the purest essence of Rioja with the highest standards of quality, transcending the Crianza category.
Rioja Reserva
Rioja
The calling card of Marqués de Riscal and arguably the single, iconic representation of the Rioja region the world over. This Reserva wine is made exclusively - and remarkably - from Tempranillo vines planted at elevation before the 1970s, and grown in the best clay-limestone soils of the Rioja Alavesa. Riscal has, simply, the greatest collection of old vines in the world. This incredible material is then gently handled, and the trademark refined and seductive wine effortlessly gives pleasure on release and for years.
