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Wine Description
The Story
In 1770 the monks of the Abbey of Montserrat settled in the els Desterrats property as penance. The area was renowned for its harsh
climate and tough conditions. Their work: To cultivate the land to provide food for the diocese. Their legacy: The discovery of a new terroir and a fine wine. The legend: Large barrels mysteriously disappeared. Some said that they were taken up to heaven by the angels.
Winemaking: Number of days of skin contact: 10-15 days / Type of fermentation: Alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. / 100% malolactic fermentation in the barrel. / Number of days of fermentation: 7-10 days / Fermentation temperature: 22ºC
Ageing: 100% barrel aging for 15–18 months (40% new French Nevers oak).
Area: Estate with 200 ha under vine, of which 50 are used to make Purgatori
Soil: Very deep, well-drained soils with a moderately fine texture, where lime trees are prevalent. The surface is not stony or gravelly and is dark yellowish-brown in colour. This soil has a low organic matter content and a very high calcium.
Precipitation: Annual total (current vintage): 306 mm
Temperature: Annual average 14.6°C
Tasting notes: Extraordinary dark cherry red color with great depth. Intense floral (violet) and fruit (cassis) aroma with exquisite Mediterranean garrigue (thyme) coming through, joined by notes of smoke and spices (cocoa). Full and intense on the palate, with ripe, velvety, wonderfully elegant tannins. An exceptional wine, flavorful and full bodied, with a characteristic, terroir-imparted hint of minerality (graphite).
Vintage 2018
SPAIN VINTAGE REPORT 2018
Wines from Spain has released its 2018 vintage report detailing the performance of each region, with most reporting a return to average yields following a challenging 2017 harvest, which saw widespread drought and heatwaves impact production.
“After several dry, hot vintages this year the rain came to Spain and in some regions the rainy spell lasted until early summer,” the report said. ” It was also a much cooler year with more gradual vine development and one where intense work in the vineyard was often necessary to keep yields in check and vineyard diseases at bay.
“The harvest began later and, with the benefit of fine weather in most of the country, picking took place steadily and well into the autumn. Yields were far more generous than last year and this should leave Spain in a strong competitive position.”
In brief:
– Weather: a cooler year with far more rain; fine harvest weather for most regions.
– Regional highlights: a far better year for Ribera del Duero, Bierzo, most areas of Castilla y
Leén and Valdeorras. Record crops for Campo de Borja and Monterrei and more
generous for Rioja and Carifiena.
– Wine character: fresher wines with moderate alcohol levels and strong varietal character.
Wine of Spain estimates a harvest yield of 48 million hl (source: OEMV), compared with the 36-38 million hl that was reported in 2017.