Alemany i Corrió, Cargol Treu Vi, DO Penedès, Spain, 2021

Producer Profile

In the little town of Vilafranca del Penedès in Cataluña, Irene and Laurent are challenging the traditional perception of DO Penedès wine.

Converting their vineyards from the typical Penedès high yields and abandoning all forms of chemical treatment and fertilisers, they follow basic organic practices. Much of the construction and equipping of their cellar was modest and homemade, including building their own tanks. Production remains small, yet as they identify further small vineyard sites their range has extended to include distinctive wines from the indigenous varietal Xarel-lo, which they choose to do extended fermentation with, using indigenous yeast and it is then left on its lees to increase the richness and compexity.

Viticulture

The vines for the Cargol Treu Vi are trained Gobelet and are over 70 years old. Planted on chalky soils, production is small at less than 2000 kg / Ha. Irene and Laurent manage their vineyards lutte raisonnée with the utmost respect for the surrounding land.

Winemaking

Vinification is carried out in 300 litre French oak barrels, 25% of which is in new oak barrels and fermented with wild yeast.

Oak Ageing

Time: 13 Months
Type: French Oak 300l
% wine oaked: 50
% new oak: 25

Tasting Note

Lovely aromas of white flowers, white fruit, citrus, hints of smoke and elegant mineral undertones. On the palate, notes of apples, pears, smoke, dry flowers and vanilla combine with some salty touches and mineral remembrances. Long, salty finish.

Food Matching

Aged and blue cheeses, poultry and risotto.

Awards

Robert Parkers The Wine Advocate 93 Points
The white 2021 Cargol Treu Vi has notes of pollen and yellow fruit with some browning apples. It has contained ripeness and 12.4% alcohol with a very low pH and high-ish acidity but comes through as more evolved and somewhat riper than the phenomenal Principia Mathematica form this same vintage. It has pungent flavors and a medium-bodied palate, with some spice from aging in 300-liter barrels for 10 to 11 months. 2,100 bottles were filled in August 2022. 93 Points, LG, September 2022.