Costers del Priorat - Petit Pissarres 2020
Costers del Priorat started with a small parcel planted in 1934 in Bellmunt and now owns 25 hectares in four villages. Winemaker Jose Mas Barberà, the leading force of the winery, sees a new vision for the region focused on village-specific wines from old vines. The majority of his plantings are Carignan (samsó) vines, including his two most important sites, Clos Cypres and Clos Alzina. This once-maligned ancient grape is now viewed by many as the ideal variety for this extreme landscape: it can withstand the region's extreme temperature fluctuations and drought conditions and produce wines of exceptional aromatic complexity. Among the vines, animal traction is used to work the soil on the steep terraces. The winery is practicing organic, only using natural organic and biodynamic treatments and never any chemicals.
The name Petit Pissarres is derived from the word “pizarra,” which is slate in Spanish. Grapes are sourced from three vineyards in Sant Martí, Mas Alsera and Les Solanes at 240 to 600 meters elevation. Petit Pissarres is a blend of 60% Garnacha and 40% Samsó (Carignan) from organically-farmed vineyards planted from 1934 to 2007 on various types of slate. Grapes are hand harvested and fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel, then aged for six months 225 L and 500 L French oak barrels, some of which are new and 2-years old. The result is an extremely fresh and balanced wine that highlights the accessibility of Priorat.