Candea Blanco 2020 (6 Bottles) Monterrei, Spain

Candea is the entry-level label from Quinta da Muradella, sourced from the Monterrei vineyards of close friend (and now collaborator) Juan José Vilela. The Vilela family was once one of the region’s largest vineyard owners and played a significant part in José Luis Mateo’s emergence as one of Spain’s most exciting winegrowers.

The white is an equal blend of Doña Blanca, Treixadura and Verdelho, sourced from mature, high-altitude vines in the Tamagos district, close to the Portuguese border. Fermented with natural yeasts and raised exclusively in tank on lees, this bright and savoury southern Galician white is brimming with mouth-watering length, pulpy flesh and some pleasant grip on a racy, tonic finish.

“Even the entry-level white 2020 Candea Blanco, a regional blend of equal parts of Dona Blanca, Verdelho and Treixadura fermented and kept with lees in stainless steel for one year, shows character, cleanliness, precision and freshness beyond the price point, and it transcends appellation and vintage and is offered with some time in bottle. It has only 12.5% alcohol and an expressive nose of herbs and flowers, and it is balanced, harmonious and elegant and finishes dry and long with a tasty and salty twist. A bargain.”
92 points, Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate