Winery:  Saó del Coster                                            

Region:  Gratallops - D.O.Q. Priorat

Vintage:  2015                                       

Bottle:   75 cl                                                   

Grape Varieties:  100% Samsó (Carignan)

Type: Red wine crianza

Alcohol Volume:  15%

Serving Temperature:   15º - 17º

Planassos is a single varietal of very old Carignan grapes planted in the 1940s. A single estate wine of very limited production. The grapes come from the oldest vines of "Els Planassos" in Gratallops, a six-hectare vineyard planted on a south-facing Coster (steep slope) at 400 metres above sea level with llicorella soils and cultivated biodynamically.

Production:

The grapes are manually picked, with a strict selection made grape by grape on the sorting table. Whole grapes are pre-macerated in cold for 2 days. Gravity fed and under protection in a reductive atmosphere to preserve the quality of the grapes.

Fermentation and maceration at a controlled temperature of 28 ºC maximum in 500-litre stainless steel vats for 3 weeks, exclusively with natural indigenous yeasts.

The wine is aged for 18 months in 225-liter French oak barrels of second use with gentle batonnages.

Tasting Notes:  Finely crafted with intensity, elegance, and a wonderful balance. Varietal notes of the Carignan, well-integrated wood, classy ripe fruit notes, liquorice, warm and ripe berry fruit, mineral, and spicy. It has an ample, structured mouthfeel with mineral undertones, subtly spicy with balsamic touches, intense tannin, and sweet, liqueur-like notes. Long, warm finish.

Notes: One hour of decanting before serving is recommended. Ideal for laying down. It will keep going for years.

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 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 advise and help of well experimented oenologist. 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.