Case of Blau Cru 2023 | $52.00 per bottle

$52.00 per bottle | $624.00 case of 12

The Origin: 100% Malvasia de Sitges, a very old Mediterranean grape that travelled from Greece and settled in Sitges, a small town south of Barcelona. By the time Pardas started working with it, it was down to about two hectares and close to disappearing. The fruit comes from the Les Planes vineyard (planted 1999) and the Hort vineyard, on deep alluvial soils. Farmed organically: no herbicides or pesticides, no ploughing, cover crops left on the soil. See the full range from Celler Pardas.

The Profile: Where Xarel·lo is reserved, Malvasia is outgoing; Ramon calls it "a wine that wants to be your friend from scratch." What sets Blau Cru apart is its salinity and drive. If you know the whites of Purén or Albamar, it sits in that company. 2023 was a hot year, but Ramon rates it one of the best: good ripeness, good freshness, and proof that Malvasia doesn't need altitude to stay lively. pH 3.02, with no malolactic fermentation. It can be a little shy or reductive when first opened; give the bottle a shake or a decant and it opens up. 96 points, Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate. Drinking now through 2032, and it will age.

The Craft: Through the drought years of 2022 to 2024, the Malvasia coped better than any other grape on the estate, and 2023 gave both quality and quantity. Pardas prunes short, which means a slightly smaller crop with more even ripening. Picked by hand, lightly crushed and destemmed. Fermented over 20 days in stainless steel at 18°C, then nine months on its lees in the same tanks. No fining, no barrel, unfiltered. Bottled in June 2024. 10,384 bottles, plus 206 magnums. Vegan.

The Pairing: Serve at 8–10°C. Oysters, crudo, shellfish, salt-baked fish, or anything with a salty edge. Built for the table.