Equipo Navazos Ovni Palomino Fino 2022

Equipo Navazos is a project known for its rigorous work in the Marco de Jerez, and Ovni takes the region's flor and cask heritage in a different direction. Rather than a fortified, biologically aged Sherry, this is a dry still white made from Palomino Fino and raised entirely in stainless steel to capture the grape and the vineyard in their most direct form. Palomino grows on the albariza soils of the Jerez zone, chalk rich marls that reflect sunlight, hold winter rainfall deep in the subsoil and give the wine its saline, mineral backbone. The Atlantic influenced climate, with its humid poniente wind, keeps the fruit fresh through a hot summer. Fermentation and ageing in steel, with no oak and no flor, preserve primary fruit, low alcohol at 11.5 per cent and a bright, linear profile. The wine is pale yellow with bright glints and shows green apple, lemon, citrus peel and chamomile over a chalky base. The palate is dry, light and taut, with keen acidity, a saline mineral thread and a clean, faintly almond finish. Serve well chilled at 8 to 10 degrees. It makes a fine aperitif and suits fried fish and shellfish.