2015 Celler Piñol ‘Nuestra Señora del Portal’ Red Blend Terra Alta Do Catalunya Spain

While the top cult reds of next-door neighbor Priorat garner higher-price tags, the lesser-known region of Terra Alta with comparable varietals, altitude, and terroir, amazes us with the tremendous quality-price ratio.

WSI93+ VIN91 Ruby-red. Vibrant blackberry, potpourri and peppery spice scents are complemented by suggestions of candied licorice and smoky minerals. Concentrated black and blue fruit flavors show very good clarity and a touch of sweet floral pastilles. Silky, slow-building tannins add shape and grip to the long, sweet finish, which leaves a note of dark fruit liqueur behind.-
This wine is made by the fourth generation of the Piñol family. Less than 3,500 cases are produced for the world. Made from vines that are traditionally head pruned, dry farmed (no irrigation), and grown in clay soil. The vineyards are located within Batea, a town at 356 m (1,168 ft) elevation, 65 meters (213 ft.) higher than the village of Gratallops, situated at 291 meters (954 ft.) elevation, in the neighboring wine region of Priorat. 50% Garnacha, 20% Carignan, 10% Merlot, 10% Syrah, 10% Tempranillo. Vines planted in 1987. Tended in calcareous clay soil at 356 m (1,168 ft) elevation

92 points–Robert Parker–“A blend of 50% Grenache, 20% Carignan and the rest equal parts Merlot, Syrah and Tempranillo, the Portal Tinto was aged one year in primarily French barrels, although American oak was also used. This is a terrific example of how much wine one can buy for so little. This deep ruby / purple wine offers notes of black truffles and blackberry. Extravagantly rich with terrific fruit intensity, dense color, and loads of spice box and blackcurrant and black cherry fruit, this is a beauty to drink over the next 5-6 years.”

The story of Celler Vinos Piñol is one of reverence for old, treasured vineyards and the best family traditions combined with new winemaking methods to make the finest wines possible. The Piñol family has been vine growers for four generations. The goal of this family-run estate is to produce small quantities of well-crafted wines with passion, love and respect for the land. Today Josefina Piñol and her son, Juanjo Galcera Piñol, are at the helm. Celler Vinos Piñol owns 100 acres of carefully tended vines, in and around the medieval town of Batea (D.O. Terra Alta), located a few miles from Priorat. The vineyards are organically farmed and certified by CCPAE. Terra Alta is one of Spain’s up-and-coming wine regions with an identity built on exciting projects and progressive innovation.