RARE ALLOCATION #2: Enric Soler, Penedes Xarel-lo

If you’re looking for a world class Spanish white wine, try Improvisació 2022 by Enric Soler. This wine comes from old-vine Xarel·lo grown organically in Alt Penedès. It’s a dry white wine that boasts serious quality and finesse. Soler himself calls the 2022 vintage “a great vintage!!” This winemaker is not just anyone. He is a former national champion sommelier and founder of the Barcelona Wine Academy. Now, he’s one of Spain’s most respected white wine producers. He cultivates just 1.3 hectares of old bush-trained Xarel·lo vines, planted from 1945 to 1970. He uses wild yeasts in a mix of Stockinger oak foudres and concrete eggs, all under biodynamic and low-intervention methods. Improvisació 2022 is vibrant, layered, and textural. You’ll find aromas of stone fruit, lemon zest, orange blossom, and crushed rock. The palate is creamy, saline, and full of mineral tension, leading to a long, savory finish. It has the precision of Chablis, the depth of Puligny-Montrachet, and the unique Mediterranean character of Xarel·lo. Only 5,220 bottles were made, making this a rare and highly desired wine. If you enjoy white Burgundy, Sancerre, or top organic white wines, this bottle should be in your collection.

Enric Soler’s Improvisació 2023. This white wine from Penedès showcases the great potential of Xarel·lo, an exciting native grape from Spain. Unlike sparkling Cava, this is serious, single-vineyard Xarel·lo. It is grown on old vines. They use organic methods and pay close attention, like in fine white Burgundy. On the palate, Improvisació starts with bright, saline freshness. It develops layers of lemon oil, wild herbs, almond, and a hint of oak. The texture is soft and creamy, yet it stays taut and lively thanks to racing acidity and mineral drive. It’s beautifully balanced, rich but not heavy, complex but easy to enjoy. If you appreciate Puligny-Montrachet, Chablis, or Sancerre, this wine offers purity, texture, and subtle power. It pairs well with grilled seafood, tapas, roast chicken, or paella. Enric Soler is a leading white winemaker in Spain. He inherited a small vineyard in 2004 and has developed three hectares of organically farmed vines. He uses massal selection to maintain genetic diversity and reveal the land's character. Fermentation happens in big foudres and concrete eggs. Then, it ages in chosen Burgundian oak barrels. Production is small, and demand is rising, especially since Tim Atkin MW named his wines among the best white wines in Catalonia. If you want great Spanish white wine, try Improvisació 2023. It’s a top Xarel·lo and a good alternative to white Burgundy. Add it to your cellar or serve it at your table.