info@buyersandcellars.ca
www.buyersandcellars.ca Cellar Profile
Region
This tiny region in Catalonia has a long and storied wine history, dating to the 12th century when the Carthusian monks established its worth. However, it remained a rather unknown treasure outside of Spain until the region rocketed onto the international wine scene in the 1990s. Priorat’s propensity to make intense, full and flavourful reds coincided nicely with the world’s wine tastes at that time. But the region offers much more than weight and fruit. It is blessed with an abundance of very old Garnacha and Carignan vines planted in unique, very poor slate soil known as Llicorella. These soils give Priorat its trademark minerality and freshness not often found in wines with such power and concentration. It is also the only region in Spain aside from Rioja to enjoy Denominación de Origin Calificada status, the country’s top regional designation.
Vineyard
30-90 year-old grapes are sourced from a vineyard planted at 500 meters above sea level, in the classic Llicorella soils found throughout the region.
Varieties
A highly unique blend of Garnacha Blanca and Chenin Blanc. While Garnacha Blanca is grown sparingly throughout northern Spain, Chenin Blanc is not. Originating in the Loire Valley, France, it is one of the wine world’s great white grapes. Fruit profiles range from citrus to pineapple—depending on where it is grown—but it always possesses a lovely rich texture and, usually, streaky minerality.
Winemaking
Barrel-fermented and aged in French oak barriques for 12 months.
Tasting Notes
A genuine, exotic wine. Full and flavourful with plenty of rich tropical fruit, gentle wood spice and savoury minerality. A RARe and exceptional find, indeed.