246. Bodegas Faustino, Faustino VII Rioja Blanco, 2004

€??; 12%

Picked up from work as a thank you from the FD. Overall a bit indifferent – probably OK on a hot day, but I’d prefer to quaff a Muscadet-sur-lie I think. Very pale yellow-green with a wide, watery rim. Low intensity nose of cream, lemon, nettle / green grass and bitter peel. Simple. Clean, fresh palate with high acidity: astringent citrusness with a degree of bitterness on the somewhat-short finish. I’ve definitely had better Rioja Blancos.