by Patrick Ogle
Autocton Cellers 2015 white blend is is xarel-lo, xarel-lo vermell, malvasia de sitges and macabeu (also spelled macabeo). These are all familiar grapes for lovers of Spanish whites. Xarel-lo and macabeu are in any case; the other two are grapes are cousins of xarel-lo and malvasia. Xarel-lo vermell has a pinkish skin which is thicker than usual for xarel-lo. It also has higher acidity. Malvasia de sitges is a type of the ancient malvasia grape that has often been used in sweet wine production. It is one of many grapes that might easily have gone extinct (there are many out there now facing this oblivion). You can read a fascinating history of malvasia de sitges HERE.
Autocton Cellers 2015 white blend is is xarel-lo, xarel-lo vermell, malvasia de sitges and macabeu (also spelled macabeo). These are all familiar grapes for lovers of Spanish whites. Xarel-lo and macabeu are in any case; the other two are grapes are cousins of xarel-lo and malvasia. Xarel-lo vermell has a pinkish skin which is thicker than usual for xarel-lo. It also has higher acidity. Malvasia de sitges is a type of the ancient malvasia grape that has often been used in sweet wine production. It is one of many grapes that might easily have gone extinct (there are many out there now facing this oblivion). You can read a fascinating history of malvasia de sitges HERE.
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My first thought regarding the nose of this wine was “grassy.” That is, however, dead wrong: the nose is more a whiff of a herb garden than mundane grass clippings. There is perfuminess here and floral hints. It is tart, zippy and is a lively wine that has so much complexity that it might beg some time before drinking. You get a feeling you are missing something in the various tastes and scents here.
It is a wine that has body and acidity. I thought it might be fruity but it isn't (where it is from might be warmer and warmer usually means fruitier). But this is xarel-lo. It is a rich wine with a bitter finish and, here on this site, I eschew terms like "mouth feel" but here you sort of have to write it--this wine has a full, luscious mouth feel to go along with that bitter finish. This wine would stand up to rich food too: heavy, rich cheeses but it is perfectly suited to just having a glass.
It is a wine that has body and acidity. I thought it might be fruity but it isn't (where it is from might be warmer and warmer usually means fruitier). But this is xarel-lo. It is a rich wine with a bitter finish and, here on this site, I eschew terms like "mouth feel" but here you sort of have to write it--this wine has a full, luscious mouth feel to go along with that bitter finish. This wine would stand up to rich food too: heavy, rich cheeses but it is perfectly suited to just having a glass.
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