The Wine Advocate # 236 - 27th Apr 2018 - Luis Gutiérrez - 2015 Mas Alta • La Solana Alta - 93/100 - 2018 - 2023 - $70
The 2015 Solana Alta is a new single-vineyard white from the village of La Vilella Alta. The wine is made with grapes grown on old terraces where the soil has 15% active limestone and clay. Planted in 2010, the vines are approximately 50/50 Garnacha Blanca and Cariñena Blanca (a rarity) and have been organically farmed since the beginning. The must fermented in barriques, foudres and concrete vats at low temperature with selected yeasts, and the wine was kept with the lees for three months. It didn't go through malolactic fermentation. I was quite impressed by the level of detail and nuance in the nose, with fennel, licorice and Mediterranean herbs, yellow and white fruit and a thin layer of spices. The palate is harmonious and precise, clean and with tasty flavors. Impressive! 1,064 bottles were filled in March 2016.