Contino Blanco 2021

A really fresh and serious nose here with mineral, subtle cream and freshly squeezed lemon zest. Lime and a hint of meringue, too. This is really zingy, chalky, fresh and packed with a very taut mid-palate and a long, mouthwatering finish. Effortless drinkability and you barely feel any alcohol here. A hint of white almond at the end. 80% viura and 20% garnacha blanca. Exciting! Drink or hold.

Now made as a blend of Viura and 20% Garnacha Blanca, having dispensed with Malvasía in 2022, this 20% new French oak-fermented white is fresher and pithier than it has been of late. Fennel and subtle cumin spice aromas segue into a palate that's focused and refreshing, with pear and citrus fruit flavours. 2024-27.

The white 2021 Blanco wants to go back to the traditional whites from Rioja with aging potential but keeping the floral and fruit-driven character using 500-liter barrels. It's mostly Viura, with 20% Garnacha Blanca, and it has a moderate 12.44% alcohol and amazing freshness and acidity parameters (pH 3.07 and 7.01 grams of acidity). This feels like a light vintage, and it's more herbal (fennel emerges with time...), balsamic and with a smoky touch. It has lower alcohol and, therefore, more noticeable acidity and ends with a dry, chalky finish. The oak is nicely integrated (they stopped using 225-liter barrels for this wine), and the palate is fine-boned, lively and lighter than in the initial vintages. 15,579 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2023 after 12 months in 500-liter barrels and concrete vats.