2021 Priorato

This wine is inspired by the wines of the Priorat region of Spain. This exact bottling was blended after enjoying an inspiring bottle of the 2017 Clos Mogador Priorat.

Overall, thanks to a relatively temperate growing season, the timing of the 2021 harvest is about a week or two later than in recent years, with most growers pulling the first of the core white wine grapes in late August. While the region has seen smoke from wildfires up north, it didn't affect the vineyards in Paso Robles.

The ongoing drought conditions are presenting growers with a double-edged sword of sorts. The good news is the dry conditions this vintage created smaller, more concentrated grapes, which is ideal for winemaking. While yields are lower, it produces more flavors, bolder colors, strong acidity, and manageable tannins. These conditions have winemakers feeling it's an epic vintage for quality.

Our goal in blending this wine was to achieve balance and finesse for this vintage. We began by revisiting previous blends, and even went back to the drawing boards. In other words, we drank a ton of Priorat wines for inspiration. Finally, we found our muse – the 2017 Clos Magador.

The wine boasts a vibrant nose filled with citrus zest and street waffles. As you taste it, you'll encounter ripe black cherries and raspberries, which are balanced with a perfect harmony of acidity and fine-grained tannins. The Priorato varietals of Carignan and Grenache are the stars of the show, introducing a brightness to this otherwise dark wine, with ample bright fruit and baking spices. As for the backing components, we tend to rotate between Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah. The Cabernet Franc, in particular, added a lovely floral component to the finish.

We are thrilled to say that this is, without a doubt, the best vintage yet of this wine.