Winemaker Notes
Reto has a lovely expression of lemon, pineapple, and lychee, with hints of passion fruit in the background. Lively, fruity, and elegant structure, with notes of tropical fruits, perfectly balanced by citrus and a lovely acidity in the finish.
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Juan António Ponce compared the white 2021 Reto with the 2013 and 2018, to him the best vintage of this wine so far. It was produced with the local Albilla grape, not to be confused with the Albillo from other regions, a grape that can transmit an incredible sense of freshness in a warm place like Manchuela. They now have new vineyards that they planted in the village of Villanueva de la Jara that ripen up to 15 days later and deliver vibrant wines with a more pungent saline sensation and an electric mouthfeel. This 12.5% alcohol wine has a pH of 3.15 and 6.2 grams of acidity (measured in tartaric acid per liter of wine). This is sharp and austere, mineral and electric when young, with an intense salinity and a vibrant and electric finish. Unbelievable for the price. With the experience of previous vintages, this should develop tremendously in bottle.
There are hundreds of white grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles.
The Moors gave it the name, ‘Manxa,’ which fittingly means ‘parched earth.’ La Mancha, the largest Spanish wine producing region in all of Spain, is one of its hottest and driest. Sturdy and drought-resistant white varieietes like Airen, Viura and Verdejo thrive in this environment.