Enric Soler, Penedès (Spain) Xarel-lo “Espenyalluchs” 2022 ($70, Coeur Wine Co)

Enric Soler, a former award-winning sommelier, is now among Spain’s top white wine producers. In Penedès, Spain, he cultivates a few hectares of vines, producing fewer than 15,000 bottles annually. His 2022 Espenyalluchs, crafted from Xarel-lo, showcases the grape’s brilliance beyond Cava. It is fresh and vibrant, with crisp acidity and a modest 12.5% alcohol, despite the hot, dry vintage. Smoky and spicy notes mingle with citrus, white flowers, ripe apple, and invigorating salinity, all wrapped in a creamy, full-bodied texture. Complex and lively, this wine is a stunning expression of Xarel-lo.
94 Miranda Franco