Jean Leon Vinya Gigi

The fascination which Jean Leon commands as a celebrity often leads us to overlook the value of Jean Leon as a winery. Beyond the commercial appeal of his legend, it's important to emphasise the strong commitment his company has had to quality. At the time it was established in 1964, the Jean Leon estate contained local grapevines which were replaced by international varieties, thus being a pioneer in Spain in the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Chardonnay, all sourced from French wineries of high repute; the winery building, constructed in the style of the Bordeaux châteaux, combines tradition with the most modern production methods; and these wines have always been made with particular care shown to the environment, which has culminated in the organic certification that all the products now incorporate.

Outstanding in the company's catalogue are the single vineyard wines emanating from the 4 estates which the winery possesses in Torrelavit, in the heart of the Penedès: Vinya La Scala, Vinya Le Havre, Vinya Palau and Vinya Gigi. From the latter, named in honour of his daughter, comes the Chardonnay that produces the Vinya Gigi wine, whose original vine stock was brought over from Corton Charlemagne to give rise today to one of the winery's most highly regarded wines. Vinya Gigi is a classically-made white and in the Burgundy style but having a definite Mediterranean accent. Although the wine ferments and ages in primarily (80%) French oak barrels, a certain amount is matured in concrete containers; for a period of approximately 6 months and always in contact with its lees. After ageing, the wine rests in bottle and remains in the winery for another 6 months before being released.

The result is a great white, a Mediterranean Chardonnay, with a lovely complexity and harmony, a wine in which every nuance finds expression. A straw-yellow colour in appearance, the wine has an outstanding nose due to its intensity and pleasantness, and owing to the presence of a delightful smoky undertone and mineral, saline and floral (acacia blossom) notes which find perfect harmony with the discernible aromas of vine peach, other stone fruits and pineapple. With a powerful and fresh entry, on the palate it appears unctuous but dry, fibrous, with good texture and high acidity that lasts right the way through and ends with a long, elegant finish, marked by a very clean-cut but subtle touch of caramel. Undoubtedly, a fine example of this winery's great work and of the Chardonnay's potential in the Penedès region.