Casa Lebai La Nava 2021

I almost died last year when they didn’t show me the 2021 vintage of their white because they wanted to hold it, and I had to wait until now to taste the superb 2021 La Nava. It’s from vineyards in the paraje (lieu-dit) in Gumiel del Mercado that names the wine – 0.36 hectares planted in 1936 with a field blend that includes Albillo Mayor, Pirulés (Alarije) and Castellana Blanca grapes on sandy soils from which they produced an amazing white in 2020. This 2021 fermented in concrete and matured in two 500-liter barrels in an ancient cave for 12 months. It has a golden color and a complex and developed nose going beyond the primary notes, with dry flowers, white spices and wet chalk. It has 12.8% alcohol, a pH of 3.1 and 6.2 grams of acidity, from an early-ish harvest. It has contained ripeness and very good freshness, with the stuffing and balance between the components to age gracefully in bottle. It’s has depth and complexity, and it’s vibrant, very long and makes you salivate. This is notable, and more for a second vintage. Bravo! It was bottled in November 2022. Drink date: 2024-2034. (Luis Gutiérrez,robertparker.com,June 19, 2025)