Pedra de Guix 2012

"The aromatic, herbal and austere 2012 Pedra de Guix is an aged white from Pedro Ximénez, Garnacha Blanca and Macabeo grapes grown on chalk, clay and slate soils respectively. There was a maceration of the full clusters that were pressed directly (this is an exception, as all the other wines fermented with the stems, including the whites) and the must fermented in tank with indigenous yeasts. The wine aged in 1,800-liter oak vats from Austria and in 500-liter French barriques. There is no oak whatsoever in the aromas of the wine, just an oxidative twist. These wines are more about the soils than the fruit and show very earthy characters reminiscent of wet chalk with some hints of Mediterranean herbs. The lively palate is really mineral and almost salty, umami-like, akin to licking stones. All in it is an electric, extreme white that leaves you salivating and ends with a slight bitter finish. It could deal with powerful food. 5,000 bottles were filled in February 2014 after the élevage."