El Helechal 2017

The 2017 El Helechal is the one white produced with Rufete Blanco grapes from an old plot in the village of Garcibuey. The sloped vineyard is planted on slate and limestone soils and is organically and biodynamically farmed. Fermentation started in stainless steel, where the wine was kept with skins for one week and then was pressed and finished fermenting in used 300-liter French oak barrels, where the wine matured for ten months. It has just 12% alcohol and notable acidity. A completely unknown variety, Rufete Blanco has very thick skins; the grapes yield very little juice, which is why they had some skin contact (one week), and the skins must have a lot of character. It has a golden color and an unusual and characterful nose, with some "orange" wine characteristics but a completely different and electric palate with effervescent acidity and some fine tannins. It has a very tasty palate with some broth-like flavors (umami?). I think Rufete Blanco is a variety with lots of potential. 1,200 bottles produced.