Castell d’Encús Majjan 2018

Castell d'Encus Majjan is a late harvest sweet wine from the D.O. Costers del Segre in Catalonia, the project Raul Bobet established in the Catalan Pyrenees at over 800 metres above sea level. Altitude is central to this wine: the high elevation brings a wide diurnal swing, with cold nights that preserve acidity in the Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon while the days ripen the fruit, so the grapes reach high sugar without losing freshness. High altitude vineyards are also more resilient to a warming climate. The grapes are harvested late to concentrate their sugars, then the wine is given around five years of oxidative ageing, slow controlled exposure to air that darkens the colour, deepens the texture and builds nutty, developed complexity in place of simple primary fruit. The colour is deep amber gold. The nose is intense and complex, with peach syrup and apricot over fine mahogany and a beeswax note from age. The palate is concentrated and sweet but lifted by the altitude driven acidity, carrying orange marmalade, walnut and citrus peel through a long finish. Serve at 9 to 11C in a small glass, with blue cheese or a fruit dessert.