2024 De La Riva Macharnudo Blanco

(Vino di Pasto; 100% Palomino Fino planted in 1988 on 3.35 hectares of Albariza, a very pure chalky soil formed by the siliceous skeletons of microscopic diatom algae; released after one year of flor aging; 13.5% alcohol; around 6000 bottles). Utterly unique! This is an unfortified Palomino and it comes from the famous Macharnudo vineyard in Jerez. To taste this is to believe! An incredible wine once again and a wine of massive vertical lift – the vinous equivalent of Elon Musk’s fantasy spaceship! Cordite. Flint. Whetstone. Struck match. Confit grapefruit rind. Citrus and almond stone, walnut shell too. A touch of leather and almost a hint of red berry fruits. White field flowers. Confit melon and almost the profile on the palate of a Sauternes from which all the residual sugar has been extracted and discarded. I’m throwing a lot of descriptors around here, but even together they fail really to capture the essence of this. A wine that is very difficult to describe. You’re going to have to trust me, it’s great!

This opens with iodine, crusted sea salt and a subtle touch of lime, wrapped in delicate floral notes. The palate is saline and expansive, yet ample and incisive, with a deep texture. There’s a solid and angular, almost architectural sense of salinity here, layered and persistent. One of the most compelling expressions of this style. Drink or hold.

*#1 in James Sucklings' Top 100 Wines of Spain 2025* This opens with iodine, crusted sea salt and a subtle touch of lime, wrapped in delicate floral notes. The palate is saline and expansive, yet ample and incisive, with a deep texture. There’s a solid and angular, almost architectural sense of salinity here, layered and persistent. One of the most compelling expressions of this style. Drink or hold. (JG)