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WINES
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CARTOIXA DE MONTSALVAT
Priorat, Spain |
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www.cellerscartoixa.com
Nowhere is Spain's vinous renaissance more apparent than in the tiny DOC of Priorat, close to Tarragona and Barcelona. High up in the hills around the town of Falset, lies one of the most geographically spectacular regions in Spain.
Vertiginous vineyards that you actually need a ladder to climb, vines sticking out at right angles from "soil" consisting of nothing but slate and shale and old, old vines contribute to very low yields and ultra concentrated wines. Priorat's explosion onto the world wine scene is a sure testament to the amazing naturally occurring growing conditions found there.
Over extraction and baked flavours are common place in the Priorat but at Cartoixa de Montsalvat what impressed most was that even though their wines are undoubtedly powerful, impressive wines, they avoid the extremes of the almost port like styles of other producers - there is a certain restraint that makes you come back for more. Their top wine, Montsalvat, reveals the true potential of this amazing region. A blend of 65% Cariñena, 25% Garnacha, 5% Cab Sauv and 5% Merlot, Montsalvat offers up layer after layer of richly textured, brooding, dark fruit. The 40 yr old vines give a wonderful balance and concentration whilst the 16 months in new French oak adds a lovely smoky, charred, complexity.
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Montgarnatx
Tucked away, in a small cellar in the heart of the Priorat region is the producer Cartoixa de Montsalvat. Making only small quantities of highly individual, hand crafted wine, they are able to give a real sense of place. Montgarnatx is a lively blend of Garnacha and Carignan and is medium to full bodied with bright, spicy, juicy fruit character and succulent texture. It's immensely well balanced and is a great example of modern priorat wine. |
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Montsalvat
An absolute stunner that proves the world class of the Priorat region but also the credentials of Cartoixa de Montsalvat. This is concentrate powerful stuff - redolent of prunes, ripe dark berries, grilled smoked meats and spice- but it's also extremely well balanced and never gets close to the stewed, porty style of other Priorat wines. The palate is full...very full but soft with a velvety texture and great length. |
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