Vinicola del Priorat, Mas Dels Frares, Priorat, Spain, 2021

Producer Profile

Vinicola del Priorat is the only co-operative in Priorat, founded by 140 grower-producers in the four beautiful villages of El Lloar, La Vilella Baixa, La Vilella Alta and Gratallop.

Here they work over 300 small plots on steep slate slopes that can exceed 30% in gradient. Some of these plots are over 100 years old, producing yields per vine of only around 1kg, which another way of saying that Mas dels Frares wines offer fantastic value for money.

Viticulture

Grenache and Carignan vines are from 40 year old terraces and the Merlot and Cabernet from 30 year old terraces. All of the grapes are collected in parcels of land in Gratallops, El Lloar, La Vilella Baixa and La Vilella Alta.

Winemaking

The handpicked grapes are put through fermentation in stainless steel tanks, and elaborated with a 15% blend of aged wine in French oak barrels for one year.

Tasting Note

Deep ruby appearance. The nose shows incredible richness despite still being fairly closed. Ripe fruits like blueberries and red plums against a background of cedar and tobacco-leaf notes from the oak. Well-structured with lively acidity, grippy high quality tannins, salinity and smoothing alcohol, ending in a long finish in which oak and fruit continue in excellent balance.

Food Matching

Grilled red meat, stews, cured cheeses.