Pasanau
Finca La Planeta Priorat – 2016
Region: Spain - Cataluña
Pasanau
For centuries, the Pasanau family has cultivated vineyards in the Priorat. The vineyards are located in the highest municipality of the region, skirting the sheer rock wall of the Sierra de Montsant which forms Priorat’s viticultural boundary. Gravelly scree eroded from the cliffs covers the underlying llicorella slate and together with the elevation creates a less Mediterranean microclimate relative to the region as a whole.
At over 743 m (2,400 feet) above sea level, Pasanau’s “Finca La Planeta” dominates the regional landscape and experiences Priorat’s widest daily temperature variation. This helps to retain freshness in the grapes, resulting in a uniquely tight knit, albeit typically powerful Priorat style. At the end of the 19th century, phylloxera devastated all of the vineyards. They were replanted post phylloxera by Grandfather Joan Pasanau. In the 80’s Joan’s grandson Ricard took over. Since his death in 2020, Ricard’s nephew Jordi Pasanau has been at the forefront carrying on his family’s legacy. Today Pasanau is reaching new heights in the expression of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon planted in their Priorat estate vineyards.
The Wine
Vineyard Profile
2 plots from estate vineyards at the base of the Serra de Montsant rock precipice, near La Morera de Montsant, the highest vineyards in D.O.Q. Priorat.
- Altitude: 2400 feet
- La Planeta: Cabernet Sauvignon
- 6.8 acres
- Planted 1985
- Espalier trained
- Village, La Morera de Montsant: Grenache
- Planted 1940s
- Goblet converted to espalier trained
- Soils: Sandstone conglomerates and lime cement
Harvest Notes
- Temperate and dry winter
- April rains produced enough water for complete growing season
- End March budbreak, flowering in early June
- Verasion in August; ripening slowly and well balanced due to high diurnal temperature swings
- Warmer than average September brought hand harvest forward to late September (Grenache) – October 17 – 18 (Cabernet)
- Varieties vinified separately through first fermentation in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks for 30 days
- Aged 36 months in 300 liter French oak barrels
- Bottled July 2020
Winemaker's Notes
Deep cherry color with ruby-red hues. Intense bouquet of red berries, roses, and pipe tobacco with some vegetal notes like tomato leaves. Intense and concentrated juicy fruit flavors of black currant and sour cherry. Some sweetness develops before rich, smoky mineral notes. Chewy tannins with stunning persistence.
Wine Summary
87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Grenache; alcohol: 15.5%; highest vineyards in D.O.Q Priorat at base of Serra de Montsant, 2400 feet; sandstone conglomerate with lime cement soils ; vineyards carefully managed to limit yields; hand harvested; varieties vinified separately through first fermentation in stainless steel tanks for 30 days; blended before malolactic fermentation; aged 36 months in 300 liter French oak barrels; bottled July 2020.
Technical Information
- 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Grenache
- Alcohol: 15.5%
General Info
| COUNTRY | Spain |
| REGION | Cataluña |
| APPELLATION | D.O.C. Priorat |
| PROPRIETORS | The Pasanau Family, headed by Jordi Pasanau |
| WINEMAKER | Sandra Doix |
| ANNUAL PRODUCTION | 2,916 9L cases |
| FARMING (SUSTAINABLE, ORGANIC, BIODYNAMIC) | Sustainably farmed, organic vineyards using minimal intervention winemaking techniques |