Le Domaine Blanco de Guarda 2018 (x3)

Quiet complex and nicely crafted oak influence here. This has a very attractive, nectarine-flavored palate. So fresh and fleshy with very pure, attractive fruit. Drink now.

The 2018 Le Domaine is no longer the only white in the portfolio, as it's now joined by a Godello-dominated cuvée that will carry the historical name of Cuvée Palomar. They have been making whites for 21 years, first in an experimental way and commercially since 2011. This is mostly Sauvignon Blanc, but from 2008, they started regrafting other white varieties like Verdejo or Godello that could add complexity to the blend, and there is a higher percentage of these other grapes in the blend, as the vines become more balanced. 2018 was unusually cold and wet, and they started harvesting the white grapes on September 20th and finished harvesting the last red grapes on October 25th. The grapes achieved very good ripeness, and the wines have good freshness and a gentle structure, as can be seen here, where the fermentation and aging in oak didn't mark the wine that much. There is almost 20% Verdejo here, and the varietal aromas and classical bitterness in the finish were more noticeable than in previous years. This has balance and freshness to develop nicely in bottle. 22,903 bottles and 785 magnums produced. It was bottled in May 2019. - Luis Gutiérrez.