Cullerot

2019 was marked by torrential rains in the second half of the harvest, and when I say torrential, it is not an exaggeration, as they got 300 liters in three days! The white grapes for the 2019 Cullerot were picked before that. They work with five different local varieties from seven different growers that own 15 hectares in total. The 2019 breakdown is 30% Pedro Ximénez, 30% Macabeo, 10% Malvasía, 10% Tortosina, 10% Verdil, 5% Merseguera and 5% Chardonnay, and the wine is 12.5% alcohol and has good freshness. It started fermenting in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and finished in tinaja, where it matured for six months. This has come a long way since the initial, almost accidental vintage in 2009. It's now serious and harmonious, subtle and elegant, with finesse and balance. They added Macabeo and Merseguera grapes from a couple of new vineyards, and there's also more Pedro Ximénez, all austere and not very aromatic grapes, with just a hint of fennel and aniseed but more austere than anything. It's juicy and fresh and makes you salivate. This shows that you don't need oak to achieve a complex white. This is nearly as good as the 2018, when they were thinking about the vintage of the century! 50,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in February 2020. They are experimenting with Assyrtiko grapes. Stay tuned...

Not heard of Verdil and Merseguera? Have they not read Wine Grapes??! Really interesting nose! Mouth-filling characterful fruit with some pinch on the palate to keep it fresh and zesty. Great texture from the amphorae but masses of fruit before that. Excellent acidity and a highly successful blend with length on the palate.