La Fideuera 2009

Sourced from a vineyard on limestone-rich soils in the Alt Penedès that was planted with Xarello over 25 years ago, the 2009 Ars Collecta Finca La Fideuera Gran Reserva is the second year for this bottling, as they didn't think the 2008 reached the quality level they expect. They have a small cellar, Celler Jaume—the original Codorníu winery—where they produce these wines. The must fermented in small tanks at 17 degrees Celsius and aged in bottle for over 90 months. The sugar was adjusted to 7.5 grams, and the wine shows more balance and character with less sugar than in the 2007, and there's more varietal typicity. Tasty, nuanced and with incipient complexity. It's an academic wine, as only 300 bottles were produced.

Pure Xarel.lo from poor limestone soils, aged for 90 months on its lees. A most delicate aromatic expression, nuanced but persistent. Subtle, it needs to be drunk with your detailed attention.