92-94 PARKER POINTS

Producer: Celler de Scala Dei                         

Region:  Catalonia (D.O.Q. Priorat)

Vintage: 2016                     

Bottle:  75 cl                                                     

Grape Varieties: 100% Carignan

Type:  Red wine Crianza

Alcohol Volume:  14.5 %

Serving Temperature:  16º - 18º

Heretge is the new red wine from Cellers de Scala Dei, a monovarietal of Cariñena of limited edition, just over 3000 bottles were filled in March 2018. This time, Ricard Rofes, the oenologist of the winery, works solely with the Cariñena, something not very usual as it was the Garnacha the one that had the main protagonism so far. It is an homage to the other Priorat, true to its origins to enjoy the old Carinyenas planted in Costers Costers that for centuries had already worked the monks of the Cartoixa.

Heretge is a terroir wine, 30% whole-clusters fermented in open cement vats and aged during 16 months in oak Foudres. Cariñena from old vines over 80 years of age in the Village of La Vilella Alta, sourced from 3 different “Costers” (steep sloped hillside), Cap de la Serra, Parts de l’Ase and La Font. Soils composed of Llicorella and north orientation. A wine that reflect perfectly the typicity of the Priorat Terroir.

The Priory of Scala Dei, founded in 1163, was the first monastery on the peninsula and planted the region’s first grapes, for this reason the bodega is emblematic of Priorat. The current owners took over in 1973 and Codorniu bought a 25% at the end of 2000.

Tasting notes:  Powerful yet finesse, very intense with scents of ripe red fruit, warm and dense, rich dark fruit expression marked by the characteristic spicy and mineral hints, licorice and aniseed notes, good balance and freshness.

Notes:  It is recommended to open the wine in advance to achieve its maximum potential. Ripe enough to drink now but still a long way to go.