2021 Nin-Ortiz Selma de Nin Blanco

2021 Nin-Ortiz Selma de Nin Blanco is an expressive, limited-production white wine from the hills of Catalonia, crafted with the same obsessive care that has made Nin-Ortiz one of Spain’s most exciting small producers. This is a highly characterful, biodynamic field blend that marries Mediterranean richness with Alpine-like freshness. With only around 1,900 individually numbered bottles made, it’s a rare and distinctive bottle for collectors and adventurous white-wine lovers alike. Its unique personality comes from an unusual combination of Roussanne, Marsanne, Parellada Montonega and Chenin Blanc, a mix that nods to the Rhône, Jura and Penedès all at once. Extended élevage in 225–300L oak barrels adds complexity and texture without overwhelming the wine’s purity. The cuvée draws on Ester Nin’s renowned experience with top estates like Clos Erasmus and NUN in Penedès, channeling that expertise into a singular, terroir-driven white.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2021 Selma de Nin Blanco shows a luminous straw to pale gold hue, with a slight viscosity that hints at its concentration and time in barrel. Swirl the glass and you’ll notice a lifted, perfumed nose: white flowers, chamomile and fennel fronds mingle with Mediterranean herbs, citrus zest, and a delicate nuttiness. There’s a subtle oxidative, Jura-like echo reminiscent of Savagnin, yet everything remains bright, clean and precise. On the palate, this is both refined and complex. The Roussanne and Marsanne bring a gentle waxy texture and stone-fruit depth, while Parellada Montonega and Chenin Blanc add tension, salinity and vibrant acidity. Expect layers of pear, yellow plum, preserved lemon, wild herbs and a touch of almond and spice from the oak. The flavors are pure and understated rather than loud, unfolding slowly with air and finishing long, savory and mineral. Thanks to its structure and acidity, this vintage has excellent aging potential: 6–10 years from release should see additional complexity, with more honeyed, nutty and tertiary notes emerging over time.

Production
Selma de Nin Blanco is sourced from high-altitude vineyards in the hills of Catalonia, where cooler temperatures, rocky soils and constant breezes give naturally low yields and exceptional freshness. The vines are farmed biodynamically, with Carles Ortiz working the vineyards by hand alongside his mules, Negret and Max, to avoid compaction and respect the living soil. Grapes are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness, with careful selection in the vineyard and at the winery. The blend—Roussanne, Marsanne, Parellada Montonega and Chenin Blanc—is gently pressed, and the must is fermented with native yeasts. The wine then ages for about 12 months in a mix of 225L and 300L oak barrels, allowing for slow integration of texture and aromatics without heavy oak imprint, before being bottled in small, numbered lots with minimal intervention.

Food & Serving
This is a gastronomic white that shines alongside refined, flavorful dishes. Pair it with roasted poultry, guinea fowl or veal in light cream or herb sauces, grilled turbot or halibut, scallops, monkfish, or richer seafood stews. It also works beautifully with mushroom dishes, truffled risottos, aged goat’s cheese and alpine-style hard cheeses. Serve slightly cool, around 11–13°C (52–55°F), rather than fridge-cold, to let the aromatics fully open. A short decant of 30–45 minutes is recommended for young bottles to reveal its layers of herb, stone fruit and mineral nuance.

Producer
Nin-Ortiz is a small, cult producer in Catalonia, led by oenologist and biologist Ester Nin and her partner, vigneron Carles Ortiz. With vineyards in Porrera, Torroja and around Gratallops, they are closely associated with the new wave of artisanal producers who have elevated the reputation of Priorat and surrounding highland zones through meticulous, terroir-focused, biodynamic viticulture. Ester’s work at Clos Erasmus—one of Priorat’s most acclaimed estates—and her early involvement with Enric Soler’s top white wine, NUN, have made her a reference point for both red and white winemaking in the region. Nin-Ortiz’s wines, produced in tiny quantities and often from old vines worked by hand and mule, are prized for their depth, finesse and clear expression of place, making them some of Spain’s most sought-after artisan bottlings.

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