Porrera Vi de Vila blanc 2023

Vall-Llach was founded in Porrera, in the Priorat in Catalonia, by the singer songwriter Lluís Llach and his friend Enric Costa. This is the estate's village white, a Vi de Vila from Porrera made from Garnacha Blanca. Priorat is defined by its licorella soil, a slate and quartzite ground that forces the vines to root deep for water, cutting yields and concentrating the fruit. The steep, hot, sheltered valleys ripen the grapes fully, which is why this reaches 15 percent alcohol, while the poor soil and old vine material keep the wine structured rather than heavy. It is aged for five months in barrel, with the oak and lees contact rounding the texture and adding a savoury, waxy layer without covering the fruit. Garnacha Blanca is a full bodied, low acid white that suits this ripe, textured treatment. The 2023 pours bright gold. The nose leads with ripe pear and white peach over beeswax, hazelnut and a fresh bread note. The palate is broad and powerful, with generous orchard fruit, a creamy mid palate and a long, savoury, mineral finish. Serve at 12 to 13 degrees in a large glass.