White Wine Carenes 2021
White wine from Priorat. Blend of old-vines White Grenache, Macabeo and Trepat Blanc aged for 7 months in French oak barrels and Stockinger oak vats.
Availability: In stock
Mr. Josep Grau, owner of bodega Josep Grau Viticultor, has upped the ante again with Carenes, his new high-end white wine.
A blend of White Grenache, Macabeo and Trepat Blanc, a rare local variety, this Spanish white wine is sourced from a one-hectare vineyard divided into 3 plots and planted with 80 to 120-year-old vines. They are located in Gratallops, in the heart of DOQ Priorat.
As for the soils, some areas are composed of llicorella (slate), which imparts a brooding minerality to this organic white wine, while others are made of calcareous-clayey materials, which provide freshness and grip. The vines are farmed with biodynamic techniques, using no chemicals or synthetic products whatsoever, and applying natural treatments to boost biodiversity and soil vitality.
The grapes were hand-harvested between the 23rd and 27th of August. First, the undestemmed grape bunches were gently crushed for 7 hours. Then, the White Grenache was fermented in a Stockinger oak vat under controlled temperature, while the Macabeo and the Trepat Blanc were fermented in fine-grained French oak barrels.
After that, this Vi de Vila de Gratallops was aged for 7 months in the ageing room of the cellar, built 300 years ago.
Finally, the white wine Carenes 2021 was aged for some time in the bottle before hitting the market.
Decant this white wine from Priorat at least 30 minutes before drinking. This should evolve nicely in the bottle.
Only 1,450 bottles produced.
Appearance | The white wine Carenes is pale gold with some greenish reflections. |
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Nose | This blend of White Grenache, Macabeo and Trepat Blanc is remarkably elegant and complex, combining a dark, tarry minerality with luminous notes of white flowers and orchard fruit, nuanced with hints of butter, aromatic herbs, linden blossom and bergamot. |
Palate | This wine of Josep Grau Viticultor is both sensuous and intellectually engaging, with impressive detail and intricacy, a tangy acidity and excellent definition which conveys a real sense of place. Smokey and citrusy, with a hint of flowers and tea leaves and a very long finish. Overall, on a par with some of the best Burgundy whites. |
Our personal opinion | Once again, Carenes 2021 demonstrates that Priorat white wines, though still under the radar, are among the world's finest. |
Year | 2021 |
Type | White |
D.O. | Priorat |
Bottle size | 75 cl |
Serving tempurature | 10-12ºC |
Should this wine be decanted? | 30 minutes before serving |
Organic | Yes |
Ageing | Crianza |
Type of ageing | Months in French and Central European oak barrels |
Number of months aged in Barrels | 7 |
Parker's Score | 94 |
Enterwine's Score | 95 |
Media rating | 95 |
Percentage of variety | Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo, Trepat Blanc. |
Pairings | Boullabaise, Cured cheeses, Fish and gravey, Foie Gras, Oysters, Roasted pork, Roasted white meats, semi-curred cheese, Soup and rice, Stew, White meat with gravy, Whitefish salads |
Taste | Complex and Elegant |
Occasion | A special occasion, Because you deserve it, Business dinner, To bring to an engagement |