Baynos Blanco 2020

The white 2020 Baynos Blanco de Viura had an extended élevage with the idea to produce a vin de garde with complexity, balance and unctuosity. It was produced with Viura that is co-planted in the old vineyards with the red varieties in their plots in Baños de Ebro that are in the process of being certified organic and where they also work biodynamically but won't seek certification. It fermented in new and used 228-liter French oak barrels with indigenous yeasts, where the wine matured for 20 months. It's 13.5% alcohol and has a pH of 3.1. 2020 was a year of mildew, so yields were low and the wine is concentrated but kept very good freshness. It went through partial malolactic, and the wine has a spicy nose where the oak is still present. The wine is very expressive, aromatic and in the style of the aged whites rather than the fruit-driven, younger ones. It has a vibrant palate and clean flavors, pungent and with great balance. It looks like it will age nicely in bottle. I tasted a sample that was pending clarification, but save for that, the wine was ready. It feels very Riojan. 3,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2022.

As you'd expect, given the pedigree of the García family of Ribera del Duero fame, this is an impressive first release of old-vine Viura and 10% Malvasía Blanca from 11 parcels. Jasmine and aniseed aromas segue into a palate that has good structure, subtle spices, energetic acidity and layers of citrus, juniper and beeswax. 2024-30