Portal del Priorat 2018 Negre de Negres

PRODUCER INFO

• One of Catalonia’s emerging superstars, Alfredo Arribas was a nationally renowned architect before shifting his focus to farming and winemaking fifteen years ago, and is known for making some of the most elegant wines in Priorat and Montsant – Wines that are massive in terms of flavor and complexity, but diminutive in terms of alcohol levels and extraction…The opposite of the over ripe, over wooded Priorats of old.
• Alfredo Arribas’ estate is composed of about 150 acres in Priorat and 50 acres in southern Montsant, many of these vines are on original rootstock and pushing 100 years in age.
• Farming is organic/biodynamic, elevage is similarly natural, with native yeast, short macerations, minimal S02, and a “less is more” ethos.

ABOUT THE WINE

• Negre de Negres, translated “Black of Blacks,” takes its name from the cepage of multiple black grape varietals used in the wine, the sum of which is greater than its parts.
• Deeply fruited Grenache makes up the core here, and the Syrah and Carignan used come from early harvest fruit in the Somni vineyard.
• Farming is certified organic and winemaking follows biodynamic practices.

Vintage: 2018 | Wine Type: Red Wine
Varietal: 60% old vine Grenache (5 different clones) with 30% Carignan & 10% Syrah
Origin: Spain | Appellation: Priorat D.O.Q.
Elaboration: Fermented and aged in French oak for 12 months.
Winemaker: Alfredo Arribas 

TASTING NOTES

“Made with organically grown grapes from the slate soils of Clos del Portal vineyard, this is blended from parcels that, due to their exposure, ripen earlier than those that provide Somni, the firm’s top wine.  Fruity and approachable, this has lovely purity in its varietal expression of Garnacha (60 percent of the blend) with red fruit and floral notes.  The pungent, austere acidity of Carignan (30 percent) supports those generous flavors.  This is a voluptuous, ample red, with a firm backbone.”    – Wine & Spirits

TECHNICAL DATA

Production: 500 cases | Alcohol: 14.0% | TA: 5.4 g/l | Residual Sugar:  | pH: 3.5

PRESS & POINTS

2018 – 93 Points, Guia Penin
2018 – 90 Points, Wine Spectator
2018 – 93 Points, Tastings.com
2017 – 93 Points, Guia Penin