Caraballas Equilibrio 2018

Finca Las Caraballas farms organically in Castilla y León, on the high central plateau of northern Spain where Verdejo is the signature white grape. Verdejo is usually made young and crisp, but here it is given an ambitious 24 months in oak barrel, which pushes it into a fuller, more complex register. The plateau's continental climate brings hot days and cold nights, and that wide diurnal range preserves the grape's naturally high acidity, which is essential for a white to survive two years in wood. During that long élevage slow oxygen exchange through the barrel builds texture and adds toasty, honeyed depth, while contact with the fine lees rounds the palate. The organic farming keeps the vineyard work free of synthetic treatments. The colour is deep gold. The nose combines lemon and green apple with honey, vanilla and toasted bread, backed by Verdejo's characteristic hint of dried herbs. The palate is broad and textured but held together by firm acidity, closing long and savoury. Serve at 11 to 13 degrees in a full white glass.