You could get into a barrel, fill it with lemons, rocks, gunpowder, grapefruit peel and oyster shells and get someone to roll you down the side of a volcano, but that's not my idea of a barrel of laughs and you get a very similar experience drinking this wine and far fewer abrasions. It's a pure, unfiltered Listan Blanco-dominated blend from the black, volcanic soils of Lanzarote and if you are familiar with our amazing 'Trenzado' from Tenerife, then you will recognise many similar characteristics, in particular that combination of struck flint, ocean breeze and intense citrus. I've probably scared away those who prefer their white wines to be understated and demure, but why not take walk through your discomfort zone and see what you think. 12.5% alc. Roughly half of the production was aged in 300 litre French oak and the rest in stainless steel. Drink now-2028.

Press review:

Tim Atkin MW: “Pablo Matallana is part of an exciting new generation of winemakers on Lanzarote, all of them working with traditional vineyards that are buried in holes to protect them from the Atlantic winds. This low-intervention blend of equal parts Listán Blanco, Malvasía Volcánica and Diego comes from centenary parcels in Juan Bello and Masdache and is appealingly salty and savoury, with layers of jasmine, blood orange and hot stones and a hint of black tea tannins. Drink now-2029.” 94 points

The Wine Advocate: “The 2022 Blanco was produced with grapes from Lanzarote with a blend of Malvasía, Listán Blanco and more Diego than in previous vintages. It's characterful, spicy, marine and mysterious, with a pale golden color and notes of sea breeze, aromatic herbs and flowers, and it has a dry and pungent palate with a stony feeling and a salty twist. It has a moderate 12.5% alcohol and 7.5 grams of acidity. The grapes come from old vines planted in holes on volcanic ash soils from Masdache, La Florida and Juan Bello. The juice from the full clusters fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel, and 80% of the wine matured in used 300-litre barrels while the rest matured in stainless steel. 1,200 bottles were filled in July 2023.” 92 points