Las Vidres 2018

The white 2018 Las Vidres was produced with Doña Blanca grapes from a centenary vineyard in the Arribes de Duero on slate volcanic soils. The clusters were pressed directly, and the juice was put in barrel to ferment with indigenous yeasts and temperature control. It matured in 228- and 350-liter oak barrels for one year. It's only 12% alcohol and has good freshness. This is austere and feels naked, not very expressive on the nose—it's more about soil and rocks than fruit and is spicy and herbal. It has a vibrant palate with lots of detail. It is subtle and insinuating, with light and energy, gobsmacking balance and a sensation of harmony and a dry, tasty (almost salty) finish that makes me think of a wine that is going to be long lived in bottle. 1,056 bottles were filled in June 2020. - Luis Gutiérrez.