Plácet Valtomelloso 2023

Plácet is the only white wine made by Álvaro Palacios and its name is particularly apt: placet, 'it pleases'. It's a classy, pure, unctuous white, 100% Viura, which brings to mind Burgundy wines. It has a touch of enigma and charm, revealing aromas of white flowers and fleshy fruit, with mineral notes too. It reflects the minerality of the chalky and ferrous-clay soils of the La Montesa vineyard that gives rise to it, in Valtomelloso. It conveys the freshness and vigour of the Atlantic influence prevailing in the Mount Yerga foothills, and demonstrates the mastery of Álvaro Palacios, who has managed to establish a style of white with personality, that does the Rioja tradition proud as well; it began by being a modern-style white, aged in barrel, which simply didn't suit it, and now it's made in a much subtler way and more in accordance with tradition, in large, 2,000-litre, oval-shaped casks. A wise move to put it right. Well done, Álvaro.