Capitán Fanegas Blanco 2011

Produced following the methods of yesteryear, the white 2011 Capitán Fanegas Blanco is a blend of 70% Viura, 20% Malvasía Riojana and 10% Garnacha Blanca from a 0.87-hectare, head-pruned vineyard planted in 1957 that yielded 3,900 liters per hectare. The grapes were pressed in a vertical wooden press, and the juice was put to ferment after settling in stainless steel with natural yeasts. The wine was transferred to oak barrels where it aged for 24 months, the first six with weekly stirring of the lees. Stylistically, this is closer to a white from López de Heredia than any of the more modern whites from the region. It's nicely framed by the oak and has aromas of dried flowers, chamomile, quince and white pepper. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with good volume supported by underlying acidity and a pleasant, bittersweet finish with a significant salty component. It has good complexity and length. I think this should develop nicely in bottle. 2,987 bottles and some larger formats were filled in May 2016. - Luis Gutiérrez.