Plácet Valtomelloso Blanco 2012

"It's always interesting to see two vintages of the same wine side by side, as I also tasted the 2012 Plácet Valtomelloso, one of the first modern whites from Rioja that went back to the tradition. It is a wine created by the junior Rafael Palacios who now has his own winery focused exclusively on whites in Valdeorras in Galicia. This is a varietal Viura white from a Mediterranean vintage marked by the extreme drought and heat, but saved by late rains in October. The wine is open, aromatic and expressive, with a mixture of yellow fruit, spices and chalky minerality. It is at the same time fresh, voluptuous and charming and seems very Burgundian as it has fresh acidity, minerality, focused flavors and is very pure. Great Plácet. One of the best, if not the best to date. The vines were planted in 1988 and as the vines mature, the wine is more consistent. 2012 will age well; it's harmonious and balanced. The wine matured in 2,000-liter oval oak vats for 11 months before being bottled into 27,800 bottles."