Winemaker Notes
Single-varietal Xarel-lo from three small plots of land totaling 1.3 hectares. Since 2006, this land has produced a wine that relinquishes neither the seriousness nor the spontaneity of a straightforward wine to be enjoyed in the moment. Its characteristic elegance comes from fermentation and aging in Austrian barrels, built by Franz Stockinger and incorporated in 2016, as well as from two egg-shaped vessels made of Nomblot concrete. The wine ferments and ages for eight months before final assembly. This wine is the one on which its vintage has the greatest impact, and, given its complexity, is the most [intense] to describe at a tasting. Improvissacio means improvisation in English, which is the most exciting and complex part of the music or play. Sometimes that part shows the capacity and experience of an artist.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Improvisació was produced with Xarel.lo grapes from three vineyards ranging from 40 to 60 years of age that total 1.2 hectares on limestone and sandy soils, whose must was fermented in 1,200- and 2,000-liter Stockinger oak vats and concrete eggs with indigenous yeasts where the wine matured for eight to 10 months. It has a clean and fruit-driven nose with notes of white fruit and flowers, a medium-bodied palate with moderate ripeness and alcohol (12.5%), pungent flavors and very good freshness and balance reflected by the parameters (a pH of 3.12 and six grams of acidity). 5,220 bottles produced.
Primarily associated with the Penedès region of Spain, Xarel-lo plays an important role in most Cava blends along with Parellada and Macabeo. Prized for its high levels of acidity and polyphenols, Xarel-lo adds strength, body and a distinct greengage or earthy character to these blends. Somm Secret—Just a few miles northeast of Barcelona, Xarel-lo vineyards around the town of Alella produce highly regarded still wines with fresh lemon and stone fruit flavors.
A superior source of white grapes for the production of Spain’s prized sparkling wine, Cava, the Penedes region is part of Catalunya and sits just south of Barcelona. Medio Penedès is the most productive source of the Cava grapes, Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parellada. Penedes also grows Garnacha and Tempranillo (here called Ull de Llebre in Catalan), for high quality reds and rosès.