2012 Nita Priorat 750ml 4-Pack
Akin to a bright red ruby in its color and rarity, Nita is a unique gem from the Spanish appellation of Priorat. From a region typically known for its concentrated barrel-aged reds, this wine is one of only a few jovenes, or non-barrel aged wines, produced within this celebrated appellation. Unaffected by the excessive toasted notes that barrel aging can produce, the 2012 Nita is perfect for those who want to taste the fruit and terroir of a wine in its purest form. Brain child of young female winemaker Meritxell Pallejà, this wine retains all of the characteristic minerality of Priorat, while better preserving the complex fruit flavors of old-vine Garnacha and Cariñena. Bright cherry-red in color with a garnet rim, this wine has compelling aromas of red fruit and sweet spice with hints of fennel and aniseed. On the palate this wine is fresh and well-balanced with potent red-fruit flavors, juicy acidity with a slightly mineral finish. Meant to drink now or age up to five years, this agreeable wine is the perfect accompaniment to a variety of dishes including BBQ, Chinese, Italian and American cuisine.
Vintage: In the words of winemaker Meritxell Pallejà, 2012 was demarcated by an absence of rainfall plus intense waves of heat that caused hydric stress in the non-native varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah) that grow in Priorat. The old-vine Garnacha and Cariñena, which are indigenous to the area, did not suffer as much and when bud break began around the end of March, their shoots continued to grow slowly up to and past the period of flowering. One benefit of this arid vintage, was that none of the vines suffered rot or mildew problems and only the youngest of vines were prone to desiccation. While over 380 liters of rain fell in 2012, the rain was mostly confined to a short two-month period in spring, and the exorbitantly hot and dry summer led to very rich wines with lush fruit flavors.
Vineyards: Located in the southern half of the province of Tarragona, approximately 2 hours southwest of Barcelona, the D.O.Q. Priorat has a very rugged countryside where the majority of the vines are grown on steep hillsides made up of nothing but solid or crumbling stands of slate, known locally as llicorella. This nutrient-poor “soil” with little water retention is the distinguishing element of this region. These characteristics, along with stark diurnal temperature differences, produce gnarled vines of very low production and wines that are incredibly complex with great fruit concentration.
Fermentation and Aging: While winemaker Meritxell Pallejà recently planted her first estate-owned vineyard block, her vines are still too young to produce premium quality fruit and she thus continues to source the best grapes and juice available from around the village of Gratallops in order to make her award-winning vino joven, or Priorat young wine. Each variety in her unique proprietary blend was fermented separately, went through an extended maceration before a final blend was made and then was aged for five months in stainless steel and concrete tanks before being bottled on June 4, 2013. In addition, as Meritxell has a deep interest in biodynamic winemaking, every vintage of her wine is bottled corresponding to the waning and waxing of the moon. It is suggested that the wine also be consumed according to the lunar calendar on either a day of “fruit” or “flower,” which is when the wine is thought to fully express its fruity and floral aromas. A total of 3,800 12-bottle cases were produced.
History: Meritxell Pallejà is the third generation of her family to have been raised in Falset, the “capital” of Priorat, where her great-grandmother Juanita built their first family home, “Cal Nita,” from which comes the name of this wine. After finishing her undergraduate degree in agricultural engineering, Pallejà spent a harvest and crush in the Napa Valley and in Bordeaux. She then returned to Priorat and became assistant enologist to Alvaro Palacios, before deciding to obtain her graduate degree in enology and create her own label.
Appellation: D.O.Q. Priorat
Varietal Blend: 45% Garnacha, 35% Cariñena, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Syrah
TA: 5.40g/l (0.54%)
pH: 3.60 pH
Alcohol: 14.6%
Vineyards: Located in the southern half of the province of Tarragona, approximately 2 hours southwest of Barcelona, the D.O.Q. Priorat has a very rugged countryside where the majority of the vines are grown on steep hillsides made up of nothing but solid or crumbling stands of slate, known locally as llicorella. This nutrient-poor “soil” with little water retention is the distinguishing element of this region. These characteristics, along with stark diurnal temperature differences, produce gnarled vines of very low production and wines that are incredibly complex with great fruit concentration.
Fermentation and Aging: While winemaker Meritxell Pallejà recently planted her first estate-owned vineyard block, her vines are still too young to produce premium quality fruit and she thus continues to source the best grapes and juice available from around the village of Gratallops in order to make her award-winning vino joven, or Priorat young wine. Each variety in her unique proprietary blend was fermented separately, went through an extended maceration before a final blend was made and then was aged for five months in stainless steel and concrete tanks before being bottled on June 4, 2013. In addition, as Meritxell has a deep interest in biodynamic winemaking, every vintage of her wine is bottled corresponding to the waning and waxing of the moon. It is suggested that the wine also be consumed according to the lunar calendar on either a day of “fruit” or “flower,” which is when the wine is thought to fully express its fruity and floral aromas. A total of 3,800 12-bottle cases were produced.
History: Meritxell Pallejà is the third generation of her family to have been raised in Falset, the “capital” of Priorat, where her great-grandmother Juanita built their first family home, “Cal Nita,” from which comes the name of this wine. After finishing her undergraduate degree in agricultural engineering, Pallejà spent a harvest and crush in the Napa Valley and in Bordeaux. She then returned to Priorat and became assistant enologist to Alvaro Palacios, before deciding to obtain her graduate degree in enology and create her own label.
Appellation: D.O.Q. Priorat
Varietal Blend: 45% Garnacha, 35% Cariñena, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Syrah
TA: 5.40g/l (0.54%)
pH: 3.60 pH
Alcohol: 14.6%
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