2017 Alonso & Pedrajo Viticultores Rioja Suañé Blanco Reserva

2017 was a vintage to be forgotten, but it has produced some good wines, like the unusual 2017 Suañé Blanco Reserva—an amber colored white with a nose of macerated skins (quince paste, ripe apricot) and spices (nutmeg and clove), different and full of personality. It's a blend of 75% Viura and 25% Sauvignon Blanc that macerated with the skins for about 15 days; it was then put in 228-liter French oak barrels where it matured for 12 months with weekly bâtonnage and then decanted in tank for seven more months. It has 13% alcohol and a pH of 3.25. It has a medium-bodied palate with some chalkiness, fine tannins and an extremely tasty, almost salty finish. It is delicious but heavily marked by the process. It should age well. 6,482 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2019.