Costers del Priorat "Pissarres" Priorat Tinto '21

The steep slate-covered slopes of Priorat are among the wine world’s greatest, most underrated terroirs. Outside Rioja, Priorat is Spain’s only other Denominación de Origen Calificada, the highest appellation status for regions in Spain. What brought interest to the region was its history and the restoration of vineyards, which included many old, neglected vines. Grenache and Samsó (Carignan) are the main grapes of the region, and their ability to survive the extremes of the region’s weather makes them perfectly suited to the vineyards.

Jose Mas Barberá and his Costers del Priorat are a leading voice in the evolution of the wines of Priorat, producing distinctive wines rooted in the terroir of the Catalan countryside, unlike the strong, tannic wines that once defined the region. Jose’s work in old vineyards in several of the villages of Priorat allows him to focus on the different terroirs they represent. He uses only organic farming methods and practices a gentle élevage, tailored to each vineyard, working with old Garbellotto Slavonian oak foudres, large Stockinger foudres, and clay amphorae. Costers del Priorat is owned by a group of more than 20 investors, and they have helped purchase 25 hectares of vineyards, including some very old and historic vineyards. The winery is located in El Molar, in the southeast of the appellation.
 
“Pissarres” is the flagship wine of Costers del Priorat, encompassing both the cool-rugged center of Priorat and the region’s warmer south. The name Pissarres is derived from pizarra, which means “slate” in Spanish. The 2021 vintage is a blend of 65% old-vine Samsó and 35% Garnatxa, from the Mas Alsera vineyard in Torroja del Priorat and Sant Martí in Bellmunt. The wine is fermented in cement tanks and is aged in 225-liter and 500-liter used and new French oak barrels. Grab a bottle of “Pissarres” to pair with the delicious brisket or ribs.