The Monte Xanic Estate
- Monte Xanic is heralded as the first boutique winery in Mexico, established in 1988. The story goes that this move, (and Monte Xanic's subsequent success) played a major role in starting a trend towards grape farmers making wine from their own grapes rather than raising grapes for sale.
- With a large quantity of land under vine in all the major wine growing valleys of the region, they are by far the most prolific of the boutique wineries in the region.
- Their vineyard sites are farmed sustainably, and their winery operates as a model of modern ecofriendly design.
- The estate weds advanced technology with old world wisdom, such as harvesting all their white grapes by hand at night in order to maintain maximum freshness and acidity.
- The "X" in Xanic is pronounced like a "sh", so Xanic sounds like "shan-eek". Xanic is the name of the white flower that is one of the first to bloom in spring in Valle de Guadalupe. When the spring rains are just right, the mountainside behind the winery is cloaked in their blooms.
Total production: 18 wines, 100,000 cases
2023 Calixa Blend - Monte Xanic
Tasting Notes and Drinking Window:
Holding to the same blend as the previous vintage, this Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot presents a lovely balanced nose of fruit and spice that, (thanks to the use of only 2nd and 3rd use barrels) is dominated by the primary notes delivered by the grapes themselves rather than the barrels. Fresh and clean with high-toned bright red fruits, this continues the trend of this blend being driven by freshness and energy. Meant to deliver pleasure upon release and for a handful of years, don’t waste time getting into this one but don’t feel pressured to drink it right away either. It will easily hold for 5 years or more.
3,000 cases made
Drinking window: upon release - 8 yearsVintage:
2023
Blend:
40% Tempranillo, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot
Producer:
Monte Xanic
Winemaker:
Oscar Gaona - Mexican, lives in Valle de Guadalupe
Vineyards:
Valle de Guadalupe – Ole Vineyard, elevation 1,000 ft in alluvial soils with some clay.
Valle de Ojos Negros – planted in 2013 at an elevation of 1,800 ft in soils of granite mixed with clay.
Aging:
Fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged in 2nd and 3rd use French oak for 9 months.
Only 35 ppm sulfites at bottling.
Framing:
Organic, sustainable
Alcohol:
13.5%
