Cartoixà, Tarragona, Spain
Pretty as a petal, softly-textured Spanish orange. Francesc Boronat works out of Nulles, a tiny village (try 480 people!) where he is the only active winemaker. Organically farming the land his grandfather cared for a century ago, his vines are surrounded by fennel, rosemary, oranges and olives in a breathing web of deliciousness. 100% salty, zippy and pigmented cartoixà de la marina (aka pink xarel-lo) from a single parcel located next to the Gaia River in Nulles, close to the Mediterranean coast – helloooo minerality. ‘La Lleona’ sees a six day maceration, and four months on lees for an undeniable roundness. Carnations and lilies, passionfruit, river dip, buzzing wild foliage, warm, muddy river bed, cantaloupe with rind, speckled spices & sand. Enjoy alongside anything dipped in a nacho cheese sauce.
