# Costers del Priorat Pissarres (2023)

- **Producer:** Costers del Priorat
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Garnacha, Cariñena
- **Region:** Catalonia, Spain
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €22
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, blackberry, blackcurrant, herbaceous, black pepper, liquorice, violet, vanilla, cedar, toast, smoke

## About this wine

Costers del Priorat is a distinguished estate located in the heart of Catalonia's prestigious Priorat DOQ. The winery is renowned for its commitment to preserving the traditional viticulture of this rugged, mountainous region. 'Pissarres' is named after the unique local slate soils, known as 'llicorella,' which define the terroir of the area. The grapes for this cuvée are sourced from two distinct estate vineyards: Mas Alsera in Torroja, which brings freshness and structure from the cooler central hills, and Sant Martí in Bellmunt, which contributes warmth and ripe fruit from the southern part of the appellation. This combination captures a comprehensive expression of the Priorat landscape, crafted from old vines planted on steep, terraced slopes that require entirely manual labor.

## Interesting facts

- The wine's name, Pissarres, translates to 'slates' in Catalan, paying homage to the region's famous llicorella soils.
- Grapes are grown on steep, terraced slopes called 'costers,' which are so rugged they can only be farmed and harvested by hand.
- The vines range from 23 to 53 years old, naturally yielding highly concentrated grapes with deep mineral character.

## Food pairing

This full-bodied, structured Priorat red requires rich, savory dishes with high protein and fat content to soften its firm, slate-laced tannins. The vibrant acidity of the wine cuts through the richness of roasted meats, while its intense dark fruit and mineral profile beautifully complements earthy flavors like mushrooms, truffles, and wild game.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for Pissarres emphasizes low-intervention techniques to respect the fruit's origin. Grapes are hand-harvested with meticulous selection in the vineyard. Each grape variety, Garnacha and Cariñena, is vinified separately to preserve its individual character. Spontaneous fermentation is carried out using native yeasts in 5,000-liter stainless steel tanks under temperature control. Following fermentation, the wine is blended and aged for 12 months in French oak barrels of various sizes to integrate the structured tannins and add complexity without overpowering the mineral-driven fruit profile.