Pardas Aspriu Xarel·lo 2019

Ramon Parera and Jordi Arnan make this Xarel-lo at Can Comas, their estate in the D.O. Penedes, where the grape sits at the heart of the Celler Pardas project begun in 1996. Aspriu is their most serious expression of the variety, drawn from a single vineyard. The Penedes lies inland from the Catalan coast, and its calcareous soils and warm days tempered by cool nights suit Xarel-lo, a grape with naturally firm acidity and a distinctive almond and herbal character. The 2019 is aged for eight months in a combination of concrete tanks and barrels. Concrete preserves freshness and adds a rounded texture, while the barrels contribute a slow oxygen exchange that builds structure and savoury depth without dominating the fruit. The extra bottle age since the vintage lets the wine develop a waxy, nutty complexity. It shows a pale gold colour, with green apple, melon and citrus peel on the nose over almond, thyme and a beeswax note. The palate is dry and textured, with real weight and a saline, savoury finish. Serve at 11 to 13 degrees in a white wine glass. It suits white fish, roast poultry and hard cheeses.