Valduero Blanco Reserva 2016

It’s always a pleasure to be able to feature older and mature whites in our Best In Show selection – and, as ever, we tend to look to Spain to serve up these treasures. This is the first year, though, that Albillo Mayor has featured as a variety and Ribera del Duero as an origin for mature whites in the BIS selection. There’s no shortage of personality in this diva-like wine. It’s a light butter-gold in colour, with all of the aromatic exuberance you might expect for a wine that has passed no fewer than four years in barrel: rich, heady, resonant with vanilla fudge, turmeric and Indian balsam. Broad and amply fleshed on the palate, you’ll find affirmingly rich flavours of vanilla, spice and assorted dairy treats in the open and articulate palate. The acidity of this exercise in mellowness is soft and affable, and you’re left with a sense of lurking truffle and mushroom. Lots to enjoy, in sum; little reason to wait.