The Priorat region was marked by heavy drought and heat. Following an autumn and winter with normal temperatures and rainfall, spring began with an abnormal drought and high temperatures. Flowering was successful, occurring before the expected date, but the rains didn’t come. During the summer the high temperatures continued, and the lack of rainfall resulted in the earliest harvest in history. In general, the wines of this vintage are noted for their concentration, being less pronounced in wines produced with local varieties such as Grenache or Cariñena. Perfect for enjoying young, and with a medium aging capacity.
We present the new 2016 vintage, characterised by the wettest winterin the last five years. Not only did it rain in winter, but there was also wet weather up until summer arrived, especially inMarch and April. In summer everything changed, and it was one of the driest inhistory, with only 28 litres being recorded between July and October.If we compare the temperatures in 2012 and 2016, the 2016 crophad to endure a much colder winter than in 2012, which turned outto be positive, since the frost cleared the fields ofvine parasites. During the spring, lower temperaturesthan in 2012 were also recorded.Due to all these climatic conditions there was a delay insprouting, which began on March 28th, and which led to a delayin flowering of between three and four weeks.Once the summer arrived, the Priorat got all the luck, sincethe rains disappeared, while in the rest of Europethey were incessant. It was something that nobody expected considering thewinter we’d had. Taking into account the delay insprouting, the harvest started around mid-October on some ofthe estates.Obtaining fresh wines with an extraordinary acidity is dueto this long duration of the grape in the strain that has so characterisedthis vintage.
The vintage began in autumn in the best possible way, with good rainfalls that would fill the water reserves for optimal growth development. Winter was characterised by low temperatures and even snow covered some areas of Priorat. March started wet and cold, which delayed the budding of the vines. In mid-May, flowering was encouraged and was followed by a somewhat unstable June with several rainfalls.
A year with a very good balance. This vintage was characterised by the absence of water stress for the plants. Winter and spring were favourable in terms of rainfall and temperatures were slightly higher than usual. At the time of budding, there was no rain, so the vines developed in a suitable manner. The flowering took place in a clean way and the Grenache vines settled in an excellent way. Summer was characterised by cool and dry days, but also humid, which led to good photosynthesis and growth of the plants. During the end of the summer, before the harvest, there was still some humidity, which preserved the freshness of the soil and, consequently, achieving a gradual ripening of the grapes, perfect to retain the aromas and the good acidity. The negative factor was the rain during the harvest days. In short, the vintage has been somewhat atypical for Priorat, with wines that are less voluminous than in a normal year in the area, but with a good acidity that is reflected in the wines and that will keep them optimal for many years.
A year that started with some problems with the flowering but ended up being very good. Winter was colder and rainier than usual. Spring continued with days of low temperatures and a lot of water that delayed flowering and the consequent setting problems until the end of March, affected production. After a complicated year, when the summer began, the rains stopped and the temperatures rose, providing excellent ripening due to optimal rainfall during the year. The year has therefore been one of the best in recent years. Fluidity, acidity and concentration augur for a long life of the wines of this vintage.
Sight
Nice straw yellow colour with golden reflections and steely edges. Clean and very bright. Abundant tears on the glass. Nose
Medium-high intensity aromas that become more expressive upon swirling the glass. Elegant and fragrant floral and mineral notes prevail with hints of white fruit. Aniseed nuances, sweet spices and fine toasted notes gradually appear. Taste
This wine is full and rich, with a high concentration of fruit. Velvety and unctuous texture, silky on the palate. Structured, with a fantastic acidity and a sexy, bitter touch at the end. Long and persistent finish. Complex yet surprisingly easy to drink.
Sight
Nice straw yellow colour with greenish reflections and waxy edges. Clean and very bright. Abundant tears. Nose
Medium-high intensity nasal aromas which become increasingly expressive as the wine gets aerated.
Its elegant and fragrant floral and mineral notes stand out on the aromas of white fruit. Little by little, some aniseed and honeyed hints appear along with sweet spices and refined toasted aromas. Taste
In the palate, this wine is round and shows abundant notes of fruit. It has a velvety unctuous texture and a silky mid palate. A structured wine with an excellent acidity and a very appealing final bitter touch. Long and persistent finish. A complex and at the same time surprisingly easy-drinking wine.