Pedro Ximénez, “OVNI”, Blanco Joven, Montilla-Moriles

The Navazos team conceived “OVNI” to spotlight indigenous Andalucían varieties in a more straightforward fashion. Through harvesting at modest ripeness levels, fermenting spontaneously, foregoing fortification, and aging under flor only briefly, the “OVNI” wines express varietal character and mineral-driven finesse on attractively delicate and drinkable frames. Produced in the cellars of the renowned Pérez Barquero estate, the 2022 Pedro Ximénez “OVNI” comes from plantings in the white chalk soils of the Montilla ridge harvested at 11.5% potential alcohol—a sweet spot where the variety displays a balance between acidity, fruit, and mineral tension. The wine aged partly in stainless steel and partly under flor in the zone’s distinctive bulbous cement tinaja and was bottled with minimal sulfur after only a few months. 6,000 bottles produced.