Muchada-Leclapart Elixir 2017 (750ML)

92 WA / 16.5 JR

The 2017 Elixir is a new dry blend of Palomino and Moscatel grapes. The Palomino comes from old vines in Viña La Platera from Pago Miraflores in Sanlúcar on classical albariza soils, and the Moscatel comes from Viña Camino del Puerto in the Pago Abulagar in the village of Chipiona on sandy soils with some clay. There is 60% Palomino and 40% Moscatel, and it fermented in Bordeaux oak barrels with indigenous yeasts. It’s perfumed, clean, expressive and showy, with notes of orange blossom, white pepper and a salty twist. The palate is dry, serious, balanced, with focused flavors and a dry finish with a bitter twist. It’s very tasty, long and clean. 4,000 bottles were filled in May 2018.

Muchada-Léclapart is one of the most talked-about new projects in the Jerez region, as it gets together Spaniard Alejandro Muchada—who, together with the guys from Mahara and Fernando Angulo, was part of Alba Viticultores in Jerez, one of the seminal projects in the zone—and Champagne superstar David Léclapart. Even though Alba and, of course, Léclapart are known for their sparkling wines, they are producing only still white wines, at least for now. - Luis Gutierrez, Wine Advocate

40% old Moscatel de Chipiona (where the sweetening wines for sherry used to come from; aka Muscat of Alexandria) and 60% old Palomino Fino from their vineyard La Platera in Pago Miraflores outside Sanlúcar. They are not very good at indicating vintage on the label but I'm assuming this is 2017.

Cloudy dark copper colour like all their wines. Tangy marmalade flavours with real bite. Fresh and honeyed. A bit more extreme than Lumière with a bit of orange-peel astringency on the end but nicely balanced. Just a rather sudden end. - Jancis Robinson