2007 Can Feixes Blanc Selecció Penedès Spain (Bodegas Huguet de)

2007 Can Feixes Blanc Selecció Penedès Spain (Bodegas Huguet de)

Suggested retail price $10 - $13

Imported by Classical Wines (Sole US agent)

Although it is winter, and god knows the weather has been somewhat colder this year compared with the past 3-4 year, I have been enjoying much more white wines over the last 4 months than reds.

I guess my palate is changing and I need to admit that I am more and more attracted by fresh, crisp, vivid and mineral whites and earthy, somewhat rustic, lighter reds than I ever been before.

During winter, for the reds, I could drink some big Shiraz or Zinfandel, but I realized that any wines above 13.5% (14% at the max) do not please me no more. And unless they are very well made and the alcohol perfectly integrated, they are usually heavy, alcoholic (hot in the back palate) and often too ripe (sometimes clearly overripe or even somewhat stewed) for my taste-buds.

For the whites, during winter, I guess I could switch to big woody Chardonnay or even to Viognier, but I rather drink fresh Galician, Loire Valley and Northern Italy whites (and many others crisp and bright whites).

The "2007 Can Feixes Blanc Selecció", from Penedès, has been one of these refreshing whites that really pleased me lately. My wife and I probably enjoyed at least 6 bottles in less than 2 weeks. I can help it, I had to get back to it. I drink it like water.

Coming from vineyards located at the highest limit of the Penedès growing region, the upper Penedès, planted on gravelly soils and growing under a relatively extreme and dry climate, Can Feixes is a blend of 4 different grapes: 40% Parellada, 30% Macabeo, 20% Chardonnay and 10% Malvaisía de Sitges.

During the harvest, the grapes are hand-picked and carefully selected in the vineyards with a further selection on sorting tables at the Bodega. The must is obtained from the grapes gently pressed in a pneumatic press. The must is then filtered by static decanting, before going in stainless steel tanks to start the fermentation process. 

The wine is then left for a few months on its lees (dead yeast and small sediments) prior to bottling to maximize aromas and flavors. The resulting young and fresh white wine is then usually bottled in March of the following year in Rhine-style bottles (long narrow green bottles), all individually numbered.

2007 Can Feixes Blanc Selecció Penedès is at the same time complex and aromatic, yet light on its feet, easy to drink and inviting, full of freshness and minerality. It boasts aromas of fresh squeezed lemon, green apple, white blossom and minerals. Sharp and focus from beginning to end, it could be compared to a Muscadet in texture, yet it has more length and depth. Meant to be consumed young and fresh, this vivid wine will be great as an aperitif with light appetizers, pan seared fish with lemon juice and olive oil, and grilled chicken.

Enjoy!

Dominique Noel (a.k.a. LeDomduVin)

For more info go to www.canfeixes.com