Winery: Saó del Coster                                            

Region: Gratallops - DOQ Priorat

Vintage: 2008                                       

Bottle: 50 cl                                                   

Grape Varieties: 100% Garnacha

Type: Naturally sweet wine aged in barrel

Alcohol Volume: 15% vol.

El Dolç de Saó del Coster is a naturally sweet wine made in a rancid style. An oxidative wine made from black grenache aged in barrel.

Born from the result of a mistake, the consequence of a natural process when a vat of grenache from the 2008 vintage with too much residual sugar after fermentation was left in the barrel for a few years to see its evolution. The wine has aged since 2010 in French oak barrels and it has followed the model of the traditional Catalan Rancios.

The result is a friendlier rancio wine, suitable for those who are looking for a sweet wine with the rancio character. It displays an elegant oxidation and notes of chocolate, cinnamon, and plum compote with good acidity and length. Only 1000 bottles were made.

Note: As with all fortified wines, sediments can be produced within a period of time after its bottling. It is recommended to store the bottle upright. Ideal with pastries, cakes, dried fruits, nuts and raisins, and on its own after a meal.

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 advice and help of a 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.