Mas D'en Compte Barrel-Fermented White

Wine information: Celler de Joan Sangenís, one of the oldest grape-growing families in the Priorat, historically sold their grapes to the local cooperative until forming a new company in 1995 to bottle wine under their own name. Based in Porrera, they own 80 hectares of south-facing vineyards with an average age of 50 years and several small parcels of 100+ year old vines of Garnacha and Carignan. This white, one of only three produced in DOC Priorat, has been awarded the title of best Spanish white. The oldest vineyards are situated on steep slopes known as 'costers' and the younger vines are found on the northwest facing terraces. The topsoil, composed of slate and quartz-rock, appears dark grey and often nearly black. Beneath this there is a base of reddish slate with particles of quartz rock locally known as 'Llicorella', high in mineral content. The altitude of the vines is between 300-400m. Joan Sangenís, the enormously talented, young owner / oenologist did not study winemaking at University or Oenological school, rather experience and research are his personal University. The heart and the continuous testing updates are what are important to him. He says that he spends 10 months in the vineyards and 2 months in the cellar, explaining that great wines come from great grapes and not great hands. Maintaining healthy vineyards with weeks of ploughing ensures that they never have to use any chemical herbicides or pesticides. The winery is equipped with modern stainless steel installations. Mas D'en Compte Barrel-Fermented White is 60% Garnacha Blanca from vines with yields of 900 gr per vine, 20% Picapoll, 10% Pansá and 10% Macabeo. Fermentation takes place in oak barrels of 3,000 litre capacity for 15 days on the skins. Each variety is then aged separately on its lees in 80% new French Allier oak and 20% American oak barrels for 6 months. The coupage follows and the wine is bottled in a Burgundy style bottle. A splendid and enticing complex nose of honeyed pear and apple, pineapple, grapefruit, kiwi, cocoa, apricots, toasted minerals, very full and buttery on the palate with great concentrated and rich texture of fleshy pineapple, peach fruits, minerals and toastiness, perfectly assembled with balanced acidity and magnificent lingering finish. This limited production of 13,000 bottles has been named "the top white wine in Spain" by the Spanish national paper, El Pais.

 
     

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