Josep Grau Carenes Blanc 2022 Priorat

Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo und Trepat Blanc; 80-120 Jahre alte Reben; nur 1 Hektar, 3 kleine Parzellen in Gratallops, daher auch ein Ortswein "Vi de Vila"; Piorat typische Böden geprägt von Llicorella-Schiefer und kalkhaltigem Lehm; die Trauben werden über 7 Stunden vorsichtig und langsam gepresst; Fermentation des Grenache Blanc in Stockinger-Holzfäassern (870l) und Macabeu und Tepat Blanc in 300 l franzöischen Eichenholzfässern; temperaturkontrolliert, Reifung für 7 Monate, das verwendete 870 l Stockinger Fuder, wurde von Stockinger maßgeschneidert in der maximal möglichen Größe, um noch die schmale Treppe des Priorat Kellers hinunter zu kommen; lediglich 1490 Flaschen produziert; 13,5 % vol.

- Notizen des Weinguts: „Carenes 2022 takes us to an uncommon white concept in the Priorat. The complexity of an unparalleled area is fully perceptible. All combined with an elegance and freshness that makes it tremendously seductive. Golden color with greenish notes, clean and bright. A seductive, fine, deep nose that invites you to delve into the glass capturing all the registers ofwhite fruits, linden flowers and fresh butters, in an unparalleled mineral Background. In the mouth we are invaded by a sensation of pleasure that mixes the moderate oiliness, the balancing acidity and the finish that takes us for a long time and invites us to continue tasting. A white full of mystery and seduction.“
 

From Revolution to Evolution: The Garnatxas and Cariñenas of Priorat & Montsant (Nov 2024) by Joaquín Hidalgo: “A long-time wine lover, Josep Grau made a small fortune in finance before turning to his passion. He started in Priorat in 1993, purchasing a vineyard in Capçanes, Montsant in 2003 and setting up his winery there a couple of years later. In 2016, he returned to Priorat with the purchase of a farmhouse in Gratallops. Grau has produced wines in diverse styles over the years. Today, he crafts finely tuned reds made with Garnatxa and Cariñena, delivering plenty of flavor without stylistic exaggeration and exploring the more delicate side of these varieties.“

- 94 Punkte, VINOUS, Joaquin Hidalgo (11/2024): „The 2022 Carenes is a blend of 80% Garnatxa Blanca and 20% Trepat and Macabeu, all sourced from Gratallops and harvested with precision. The Garnatxa Blanca aged in foudres, while the Trepat and Macabeu aged in barrels for a year. This yellow wine exhibits aromas of fennel and green apple, along with faintly toasted cedar and sun-kissed ripe pear. Dry, creamy and rich, the compact palate contrasts with the plush oak texture, resulting in a pleasantly flamboyant mouthfeel. This is a ripe white with a deliciously refreshing core. Drinking Window: 2025-2030“

- 94 Punkte James Suckling (09/2024): „An outstanding Priorat white showing hot stones, whipped sour cream, meringue and nectarines. Full-bodied, textured and flavorful on the palate, with fresh acidity and a lengthy, lively finish. Very complete. Drinkable now, but can hold.“

- 94 Punkte Parkers WINE ADVOCATE, Luis Gutiérrez (05/2024): „The white village wine from Gratallops in Priorat, the 2022 Carenes is eminently Mediterranean and spicy, with notes of dry flowers, pollen and beeswax. It comes from one of the few old white vineyards that have survived, a 120-year-old plot in the zone known as Planassos that is planted with the three varieties—Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo and the rare Trepat Blanc—on slate soils. The Garnacha fermented and matured in an 870-liter Stockinger foudre, while the Macabeo and Trepat Blanc fermented in barrel, where the wines matured for eight months, after which time they were blended. It has 13.3% alcohol and good freshness and acidity, remarkable for the vintage, and it has a savory twist that makes me think of chicken broth, very umami, with a long, dry finish. This should age nicely in bottle. 1,450 bottles were filled in June 2023. Drink Date: 2024-2032“

The wines from Josep Grau Viticultor, who works in Montsant (mostly) and a little in Priorat, seem to be getting better and better. This is a name that usually flies under the radar and deserves more recognition. In 2020, he purchased a vineyard in Capçanes, El Pas de l'Estudian, from which he now produces a new wine under that name. He now has 14.5 hectares of vines in the village of Capçanes and 18 in Marçá in Montsant and 10.5 hectares in Gratallops in Priorat.

I tasted wines from 2021 and 2022, two very different vintages. 2021 was marked by the January snowstorm that brought up to 80 centimeters of snow in some places and plenty of rain through the season, which was cooler than usual. He talks about "delicate, ethereal reds with good structure and depth." As for 2022, it was extremely dry with successive heat waves and was saved by 48 liters of rain on July 6th. The wines are more fragrant, but he tries to keep the line of the 2021s.

- 93 Punkte GUIA PENIN