Nelin 2023

2023 / 96+ puntos

The three varieties that are more important for the future of the whites are Xarel.lo, Picapoll and Cariñena Blanca. The 2023 Nelin was produced exclusively with local varieties—Garnacha Blanca, Macabeu, Xarel.lo, Cariñena Blanca, Picapoll Blanco, Trepat Blanco, Pedro Ximenez and Escanyavelles—from four small organic vineyards. The juice from the pressing of the full clusters fermented with indigenous yeasts in 1,200-liter oak foudres, with a slow and long fermentation that took between three and nine months. It matured in foudre for one year and then was transferred to stainless steel for six to eight more months. It epitomizes the Mediterranean character of whites with tons of aromatic herbs and crushed stones. It opens up nicely in the glass and is ripe but fresh, powerful and balanced. It finishes with a salty and slightly bitter twist. Despite the lower yields, they kept similar volumes because more and more vineyards are in production. In 2023, they produced 7,000 to 8,000 bottles, but the plan is to reach 15,000. And in the future, they might divide the volume into two wines, but we'll have to wait and see...