Terroir Històric | PRIORAT

Negre 2021

Unlike the site specific wines of Terroir al Límit, Terroir Històric is devoted to expressing the complex character of the whole of Priorat in two colors: white and red. While the project launched in 2015 is a remarkable incubator for new plantings from the clay and schist soils of Montsant, it is also a liquid homage, utilizing the négocient tradition of the past to secure a sustainable future. Terroir Històric encourages young farmers to not only return to family vineyards in the region’s 9 villages in and around Torroja, but also transition these family vines to organic farming. Històric Negre is a blend of Priorat’s traditional red varieties: Grenche Noir (75 %) and Cariñena (25 %). 

Harnessing the simple, honest power of great fruit means a truly hands off approach in the cellar: hand harvest, whole cluster naturally ferment, and transfer to inox tank for six months. No extraction, no oak. Crisp red fruit aromas of pomegranate and hibiscus, fennel and blackberry are underscored with the savory accents of smoky garrigue. Fine-grained tannins shape the balanced palate into one both juicy and mouthwatering. Wine at both its most basic, and most beautiful. Priorat unplugged. 
Location 9 villages of Priorat Històric: Bellmunt, Gratallops, El Lloar, Escaladei, Poboleda, Porrera, Torroja, Vilella Alta, Vilella Baixa
Age 35 - 50 years old
Altitude 350 - 800 metres
Varieties 75% Red Grenache, 25% Cariñena
Soils
Slate, Clay, Granite, Alluvial
Alcohol 13.5 %
Location 9 villages of Priorat Històric: Bellmunt, Gratallops, El Lloar, Escaladei, Poboleda, Porrera, Torroja, Vilella Alta, Vilella Baixa
Age 35 - 50 years old
Altitude 350 - 800 metres
Varieties 75% Red Grenache, 25% Cariñena
Soils
Slate, Clay, Granite, Alluvial
Alcohol 13.5 %
  • ELEVAGE
  • REVIEW
Cement was the only possible choice for the philosophy of the project. Terroir Històric Red reposes for 6 months in cement vats. The end result is a new interpretation of the Priorat terroir without the loss of its roots
Reviewed by Luis Gutiérrez | The Wine Advocat

I was delighted by the second vintage of the red 2016 Terroir Históric, which is produced following the more traditional style of the zone. It’s a blend of Garnacha with 25% Cariñena from the nine villages, though the majority of grapes come from Scala Dei and La Morera—which are cooler villages than even Torroja— so the wine is fresher than the average in the region.

They wanted something more than a fun semi-carbonic maceration red; they wanted some structure and length on the palate, as this line is produced for gastronomy. It’s spicy and fresh, with fine tannins and great freshness, really easy to drink. It never sees any oak, as it’s fermented and matured in concrete vats.

This is a great improvement over the previous vintage. 10,000 bottles were filled in March 2017. This is a great Priorat for the by-the-glass market, sold at a very competitive price.