Terra de Cuques Blanc 2016

The yeasty and aromatic 2016 Terra de Cuques was just about to be bottled, so I tasted the final blend, mostly Pedro Ximenez and 10% Muscat that was kept with skins and stems for a week and then with the fine lees until bottling around one year from the vintage. It has tannic structure and a seriousness on the palate, flavors and an aromatic profile very different from the other two whites from Terroir Al Limit. I don't remember such a strong yeasty character from previous vintages, but there is also austere minerality on the palate, a characteristic that I think is very nicely transmitted by the Pedro Ximenez. It's a fresh and balanced vintage. They expect to fill some 15,000 bottles in February 2018. - Luis Gutiérrez. 

Quite funky from reduction, but as it blows off, smoky and dried-pear notes emerge. Some good concentration and minerals, then the tannins kick in and make the bold finish firm. Better from 2019 and should age well.