Pedro Ximenez
XP NV
Barranco Oscuro

Grape Variety: Pedro Ximenez

Producer: Barranco Oscuro (Manuel Valenzuela)

Region: Cadiar, Alpujarra, Andalusia, Spain

Wild Scale: 2/5

15% alcohol

Vegan friendly wine

Winemaking: In 2016, Organic Pedro Ximenez grapes from a single plot were hand harvested and underwent direct press.  Fermented with indigenous yeast in old barrels that were not topped up. A veil of flor developed which resulted in an oxidative wine. In 2017, 2018 and 2019, the same process occurred and then all these wines were blended. Bottled in 2020 with no added sulphur. 

This Wine:  A very special oxidative wine that contains 4 different vintages. Imagine a classic fino sherry with more depth and complexity. A true reflection of Andalusian wine culture and a versatile bottle for pairing with food such as cheese and fish. 

Notes on the Winemaker: Manolo Valenzuela returned from France to his homeland of Granada province after the death of the dictator Francisco Franco. He acquired one of the highest vineyards in the world in the 1970s, he set about making wine without any additives which inspired an entire generation of winemakers from Spain and the rest of Europe. Hot days and cool nights (thanks to elevation) make this a unique environment with the Mediterranean sea just 10km away. We visited in 2023 to see Manolo still going strong at the age of 80.