NOSTER 2005

55% Grenache, 45% Carignan

14,5 % vol.

La Perla Del Priorat, finca del Mas Dels Frares (1450)
11 to 40 year old vines planted on one of Priorat's oldest vienyards. This vineyard is surrounded by Fites built during the 12th century by the monks of Scala Dei. Soil is pure Llicorella, typical soil of the DOQ Priorat.

After a selective manual harvest, the chosen grapes are placed in boxes and are refrigerated for 12 to 18 hours during the night. Once they are cold enough, the grapes are placed on a table of selection in order to remove any grape or any remaining grain that does not meet the desired quality for vinification (general aspect, skin quality, size, color, texture, sugar content, acidity etc..). After this (second) selection, the grapes are crushed and transfered in small stainless steel vats for the cold fermentation to begin.

Each variety ferments slowly at controlled temperatures of 25°C to 28°C combined with techniques of pumping over, punching down and
delestage. Maceration lasts 20 to 25 days depending on the variety.

50% of the assembly goes through french oak barrels for 12 months. The other half remains in stainless steel tanks in order to keep some freshness to the wine.
After 12 months, both halves are assembled.
In this blend, one half will express the complexity and elegance of an oak aged wine and the other half will provide the fruitiness and freshness of a “fruit forward” wine.

Intense cherry red in colour, with garnet nuances.
Complex on the nose, Notes of red fruits evolving to jam fruits, plums and figs, chocolate, vanilla…
Very nice volume in mouth, glyceric, with persitant and round tannins.

Best to drink in 2009-2011. Serve at 17-18°C.

Noster 2004: Wine Advocate n° 183, june 2009: 90 points