Viñas del Vero Clarión

I tasted the 2015 and 2016 vintages of the white "de garde," a wine that has a significant percentage of Riesling (even if it's not mentioned on the label). The 2016 Clarión has a bright, almost fluorescent color and a developed nose that combines, kerosene-like notes with hints of esparto grass and other Mediterranean herbs, as well as tangerine peel, camphor and hints of pollen. The palate is lighter than expected, with a sharp texture, a little austere, lacking a bit in the middle. This is now à point. In 2016, it was a blend of 27% Riesling, 25% Macabeo, 23% Sauvignon Blanc, 17% Chardonnay and 8% Gewürztraminer, where only the Chardonnay fermented and matured with lees in oak. 10,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in August 2017.