Winery: Saó del Coster
Region: Catalonia - D.O.Q. Priorat
Vintage: 2020
Bottle: 75 cl
Grape Varieties: 60% Garnacha, 25% Carinyena, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Syrah
Type: Red wine crianza
Alcohol Volume: 15.5% vol.
Serving Temperature: 15° - 17°
Terram is a blend of four grapes: Grenache and Carignan complemented with Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. All the grapes are selected from a single vineyard, "El Planassos", in Gratallops, a six-hectare estate with vines planted on terraces and slopes at an altitude of 280 to 400 metres above sea level and growing on slatey soils locally known as "llicorella" and calcareous clay.
Production:
The grapes are manually picked, and each variety is harvested and vinified separately. The grapes are de-stemmed and manually sorted in the winery. Gravity fed into stainless steel tanks for fermentation with natural, indigenous yeasts. Gentle extractions and pumping over until the end of the fermentation.
The wine is aged for 18 months in 225-litre French oak barrels, 80% used and 20% new.
Total production was 4500 bottles.
Tasting Notes:
This is a complex, classic Priorat wine. Intense and persistent, displaying the varietal aromas of ripe fruit, blackcurrant, and berry fruit, with a violet touch and the distinctive mineral notes of licorella, as well as spicy notes such as cinnamon and vanilla. On the palate, it shows intensity and density, along with ripe tannins and a smooth, persistent finish.
THE WINERY Saó del Coster
The Saó del Coster wine project was launched in 2004 by Fredi Torres with the help of a group of Swiss shareholders and friends. The project is based on sustainable viticulture, which follows the principles of minimal intervention, respects the natural growing cycles, and applies biodynamic treatments.
The vines are sourced from two plots they own, “Planassos” and “La Pujada”, which are both in the municipality of Gratallops, growing on terraced hillsides and slopes on slatey soils. Saó del Coster uses only native varieties, some of which are over 60 years old, and only indigenous natural yeast.
In 2018, after a difficult period marked by the loss of some harvest, disagreements between the founding partners, Freddy Torres' departure, and poor management of the winery, Saó del Coster entered into liquidation.
A year later, Jöel Chevallaz, one of the founding partners and an active member since the beginning, teamed up with Patrick Pochon, owner of half the land and creditor of the winery, to repurchase the assets and restart the original project. For that, they have a new winemaker and count on the advice and help of well-experienced oenologists. The project is already back to life and promising; it has re-emerged with enthusiasm and strength, continuing with the same principles, which are already evident in its wines.
