Mestizaje Blanco 2021

2019 > 91+ puntos

I tasted two vintages of some wines, which is always a good opportunity to compare two years side by side, like the white 2019 Mestizaje Blanco that I tasted next to the 2020. It comes from Finca Calvestra at 920 meters in altitude, so a Mediterranean white looking for freshness through altitude. This is a blend of 65% Merseguera, 24% Viognier and 11% Malvasía matured in concrete and stainless steel for six months. It has medium ripeness at 13.5% alcohol and good freshness and acidity. It has a very expressive, complex and developed nose, with notes of flowers and pollen, a little exuberant but with a very balanced and mineral palate. 54,896 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2020.

2018 > 90+ puntos

The 2018 Mestizaje Blanco was produced with a blend of organically and dry-farmed Merseguera from Finca Calvestra regrafted on Bobal vines, plus 25% Viognier and 10% Malvasía. The grapes all fermented together in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and were kept in contact with the fine lees until it was bottled, a little later this time because of the COVID-19 crisis. The grapes from the shallower soils were harvested earlier to provide more tension while keeping the volume of the wine, which has also enhanced the finish. It's a little lower in alcohol too, so the wine comes through as fresher than the 2017 and more in line with 2016, a cooler year, similar to 2018. 58,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2019.