Tabla Rrasa II, El Quadre Buit PXX 2021

Wine Description for Tabla Rrasa II, El Quadre Buit PXX 2021 by Vins Nus

Colour & Appearance

Intense, luminous lemon yellow with fascinating amber reflexes, testament to careful oxidative maturation.

Nose

A restrained, intellectual presentation that demonstrates typical Mediterranean Pedro Ximénez character with remarkable precision. Dried herbs – thyme, oregano, sage – dominate the bouquet, underpinned by subtle notes of almond and apple blossom. The gentle oxidation lends the wine a fascinating depth without heaviness. With air contact, ethereal spice notes of white pepper, cardamom and clove develop, whilst the fruit remains ever in the background – a deliberate restraint that leaves room for interpretation.

Palate

On the palate, the true strength of this wine reveals itself: a precisely drawn, chalky framework with taut texture and remarkable tension. The wine is characterised by a quiet elegance reminiscent of great Burgundy, yet with unmistakably Mediterranean expression. The acidity is remarkably well integrated, the saline finish speaks of the austere soils of Priorat. What this wine lacks in obvious fruit, it more than compensates for through structural brilliance and intellectual depth. A wine that does not seek to please, but rather challenges and rewards.

General Information

This rare Pedro Ximénez (only 372 bottles) comes from 45-year-old vines in a reclaimed vineyard near Clos del Portal. Fermentation takes place in a single 500-litre barrel, with the wine initially maturing under protective flor yeast for 5 months, then gently undergoing oxidative maturation following the breakdown of the flor. With 13% alcohol and completely dry residual sugar, the PXX 2021 presents itself as an expression of a new, purist Spain.

Food Pairing Recommendations

A companion wine par excellence, one that does not dominate but subtly complements. Excellent with grilled sea bass with herbs, rabbit with rosemary or semi-mature Manchego. The saline minerality harmonises beautifully with seafood, whilst the herbal notes pair perfectly with Mediterranean vegetable dishes.

Special Features

This wine represents the renaissance of Priorat as a white wine region and demonstrates that Pedro Ximénez is capable of far more than sweet sherry variants. The partial oxidative maturation lends the wine an additional dimension without compromising its freshness and precision. A fascinating example of how traditional grape varieties can be reinterpreted through modern, minimalist winemaking technique – a true unique specimen in the best sense.