WINE ADVOCATE 91 POINTS The 2022 Ovni (the Spanish acronym for UFO) Pedro Ximenez was the original unfortified white Ovni produced in Montilla-Moriles with Pedro Ximenez grapes. The wine tries to showcase the pure character of the grape on the chalky albariza soils of Montilla. It fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel, and it had a very weak aging under flor in stainless steel and the traditional concrete tinajas from Montilla. It's unfortified at 11.5% alcohol, keeping a pH of 2.96 and 5.45 grams of acidity. It's young and still quite fruit driven but serious, tasty and balanced. 6,000 bottles produced.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: (SOURCE: SHERRY NOTES)
Around 2008 Equipo Navazos were one of the first in the sherry region to put a spotlight on unfortified white wines again. Wines like OVNI can be seen as mostos, the wines that are produced in Andalucia before they are fortified and enter a solera system. Since then we’ve had all kinds of variations with different levels of flor influence (if any).
Nose: immediately it shows ripe quinces that are becoming typical for these new-wave white wines from Andalucia. Also melons and slightly tropical fruits. It’s a little warmer than similar wines from Jerez, with a roundness that comes close to a Chardonnay. There’s also a warm chalky note in the background, some seashells and a vague touch of flor (straw, wildflowers). Hints of brioche. Just a light hint of green olives.
Mouth: medium bodied, again showing a nice roundness. Pears and bruised yellow apples, with a decent acidity. Light almond notes. Mild tannins and a wee bitter edge. Less mineral character than its siblings from Jerez perhaps, although there’s a light touch of salt and some wet gravel towards the end.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: (SOURCE: SHERRY NOTES)
Around 2008 Equipo Navazos were one of the first in the sherry region to put a spotlight on unfortified white wines again. Wines like OVNI can be seen as mostos, the wines that are produced in Andalucia before they are fortified and enter a solera system. Since then we’ve had all kinds of variations with different levels of flor influence (if any).
Nose: immediately it shows ripe quinces that are becoming typical for these new-wave white wines from Andalucia. Also melons and slightly tropical fruits. It’s a little warmer than similar wines from Jerez, with a roundness that comes close to a Chardonnay. There’s also a warm chalky note in the background, some seashells and a vague touch of flor (straw, wildflowers). Hints of brioche. Just a light hint of green olives.
Mouth: medium bodied, again showing a nice roundness. Pears and bruised yellow apples, with a decent acidity. Light almond notes. Mild tannins and a wee bitter edge. Less mineral character than its siblings from Jerez perhaps, although there’s a light touch of salt and some wet gravel towards the end.
