La Merced 2016

The leesy white 2016 La Merced has changed over time from a varietal Malvasía to this blend of similar parts of young vine Malvasía, Garnacha Blanca and Viura that fermented in 500- and 600-liter oak vats, now with acacia tops, where it was kept with lees for some ten months. It's only 12.5% alcohol and retained some 3.4 grams of unfermented sugar. It has a leesy nose and a soft palate, lacking a bit of energy and with a bittersweet sensation in the finish. I found it quite different from previous vintages, and it made me hesitate. 3,900 bottles were filled at the end of August 2017.