Casa Balaguer Blanco 2024 2025

Casa Balaguer, the Vinessens project of Rafa Bernabé, sits at Finca Balaguer near Villena in the Alicante hinterland of the Valencian Community, a warm inland site under strong Mediterranean light. The field blend of Malvasía, Merseguera, Moscatel de Alejandría, Tortosí and Verdil brings both aromatic lift and freshness, with Moscatel and Malvasía giving the floral top notes and the local grapes holding the backbone. Farming is biodynamic, and the wine is made in a natural style with minimal intervention. It spends around three months in old stone lagares and is aged in concrete and amphora, vessels that allow a slow micro oxygenation and add texture without any oak character, so the fruit and the herbal side stay in focus. Expect a bright straw colour, sometimes with a faint haze from the low intervention approach. The nose is white peach, melon and orange peel over white flowers and a dry Mediterranean herb note of thyme. The palate is dry and textured, with gentle grip and a saline, savoury finish rather than heavy fruit. Serve at around 10C in a white glass.