100%  Chardonnay

Place Name       Utiel - Requena

Pago de los Balagueses Chardonnay 2018, a wine to enjoy.        

75 cl Bottle.

Detailed description

Terroir

Our 30-year-old Chardonnay vines are trellis-trained in an enclave of 3 hectares (7.4 acres) located amidst old-growth pine forests, aromatic plants and almond trees at altitudes above 780 meters (2,560 feet). Yields were quite low at less than 1.8 kilos per vine. Careful viticultural practices encourage biodiversity and sustainability, with no use of pesticides or industrial fertilizers. This wine receives organic certification per the EU’s strict requirements for Ecological Farming.

Making and Ageing

The most outstanding characteristic of this year’s harvest was the so-called "delay". In addition, the rain has brought fond memories of prior times when it often rained during harvest. The grape maturation was moderately slower bringing in slightly lower sugar loadings than previous years. We are very grateful for this as it has captured the essence of our wines, giving them a good acidic flavor and providing a fresh sensation. We picked our Chardonnay in early September at perfect maturity. Our traditional winemaking delivers outstanding varietal typicity and terroir expression through stalk removal, a gentle crush of the grapes, and pre-fermentation maceration at low temperatures for 8 hours. Débourbage (settling of sediment) and racking were followed by fermentation in French oak barrels treated with the Aquaflex system for softer tannins. This complex Chardonnay matured on its own fine lees, with extensive stirring to achieve a richer, more ample palate.

Tasting

	White wine
	Strong aromatic intensity of mature stone/tropical fruit with creamy vanilla, pastry, cedar wood and yeasty notes from the aging process.
	Silky smooth and honeyed on the palate, with lively acidity, smoky vanilla and exotic fruit nuances in the lingering finish.
	Ideal for molluscs and crustaceans, cereals, fish, snacks, cereals and pastas.