Celler Cal Pla Tinto Priorat DOQ

Description

Celler Cal Pla Tinto Priorat DOQ is a Spanish red wine made by Joan Sangenis. It is a blend of traditional grapes from the region, including Garnacha and Carinena, with some Cabernet Sauvignon. This intense old-vine blend delivers ripe damson plum, blackberry and blackcurrant layered with cinnamon, nutmeg, white pepper, and subtle liquorice. The grapes are sourced from low-yielding slate (llicorella) soils, and this Priorat red wine offers concentrated power and spicy, dark fruits.

Celler Cal Pla, Established in 1995

After previous generations had sold their grapes to the local cooperative, owner and oenologist Joan Sangenis decided, in 1995, to create Celler Cal Pla to vinify wines for himself. The winery is based in the village of Porrera, where Joan Sangenis now owns some 80 hectares of south-facing vineyards, at altitudes of 300 to 400m, with an average age of 50 years or more and some small parcels of Carignan and Grenache now over 100 years old.

Grapes Grown on Priorat “Costers”

The oldest vineyards are located on very steep slopes, known locally as “Costers”. These are comprised of the soils typical of Priorat – the topsoil is composed of slate and quartz, and often appears very dark grey or black in colour. The subsoil below is a reddish slate with quartz with very high mineral content – this is known as “Llicorella”. The combination of low-yielding old vines, a modern stainless steel winery and healthy maintenance of vineyards with no pesticides is a factor that allows Joan Sangenis to produce some of the very best Priorat wines.

Celler Cal Pla Winemaking

• Celler Cal Pla Tinto Priorat DOQ is a blend of 50% Garnacha, 45% Cariñena, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
• The wine is aged for 14 months on its lees in oak barrels (15% American oak and 85% French oak).
• The barrels used are a mixture of 1 to 3 years old.
• Grapes are sourced from vines with an average age of 10 to 20 years.
• Average production is 30,000 bottles per vintage.

Samso or Carinena?

For the curious, the label mentions the grape variety Samso. This is another name for the Carinena grape, a name that is often used in Catalonia.