Petrea Chardonnay

Petrea Chardonnay is one of the two special wines from Mas Comtal, a wine meticulously cared for down to the last detail, including its beautiful labels which are different for each vintage. This is their more serious and complete white, and an elegant wine with great persistence on the palate.

It is only made in the best years, from Chardonnay grapes grown in organically cultivated vineyards, on vines now over 30 years old, which the winery planted when the company underwent renovation, in a major drive towards top quality wines. In the wine-making process, it is partially fermented in stainless steel tanks (30%) and in Hungarian oak barrels (70%), a wood that has an effect upon wine similar to French oak, not overly harsh; then it is matured on its lees and undergoes bâttonage for just over 10 months. The result is a wine with sinew, great body and structure, and a very pleasant passage through the mouth.

Mas Comtal makes its Petrea Chardonnay available to consumers only at its optimal point for drinking, after some four years of evolution in bottle. In the glass it appears a lovely new gold colour, clean and bright, and if you uncork it during the first months after its release, you can still discern the aromas of that new wood in all its freshness, which rapidly blends in with the aromas of peaches and mangos, ripe fleshy fruits, and a floral fragrance, of orange blossom. The citrus and refreshing notes seem to come to life somewhat later, on swirling the glass or when decanted beforehand: aromas of grapefruit and mint tea. The aromatic palette is extremely rich, a fine Mediterranean Chardonnay, a fresh one without excessive maturation.

It has an exceptional palate. Its entry takes you by storm and its intensity permeates the whole mouth. It comes over luscious and glycerin-textured, but its excellent acidity and certain saline notes mean that it glides smoothly over the tongue. It is a wine that builds up on the palate, with mild caramel notes, toasted hazelnuts and honey. It is long and persistent, with a structure and complexity that make it an ideal wine for pairing up with both meats and cheese, perfect for ham... and a dessert in itself.