The different terroirs which exist within the Priorat wine appellation have given rise to the creation of a new “Village Wine – Gratallops”. Just like in Burgundy, France. The prestige of this winemaking area knows no limits and Manyetes is a good example of this new wine label.
Manyetes is the name of a vineyard in Gratallops: A daring venture where vines can barely survive given the poor soil of the region, the intense sunlight and the bleak exposure. The vines are quite literally at the extreme of survival, however, this is exactly what gives rise to the principal essence of Priorat!
In this parched, arid area of steeply sloping slate hillsides, our Carignans struggle to survive. This is an extraordinary vineyard in an extraordinary setting. With the idea of bringing a touch of femininity to our wines, we have also planted the Grenache.
Today, the work has paid off and visitors to the region can appreciate the vast horizon where the Ebro river gives, from time to time, a modicum of humidity - just enough to allow the vines to survive.
The final result is staggering - a harmonious blend of these noble grapes is completely at one with the terroir and gives us a wine with minerality, femininity, subtlety and complexity which warms our hearts.
Manyetes is, quite simply, the essence of Priorat transformed into wine .
“Les Manyetes” is a south-facing vineyard, located at 250m above sea level. The soil is 100% “llicorella” (a type of schist) with very little top soil, where the vines struggle to survive. It is our hottest vineyard plot.
In this soil and with this type of sun exposure, the Carignan grape variety offers surprising freshness, yet it still retains its bold tannins.
2016 is, in my opinion, one of the most surprising vintages we have had; the sort that makes you realise that there is still a lot to be learned. It has been a very dry year and yet this is one of the vintages with a highest potential for ageing, thanks to its acidity. (Normally, in a warm dry year the wines would have a low acidity level, hence my surprise. Perhaps it has to do with the amazing viticulture that my brother Christian and his team have been practicing in our vineyards during the last few years). Unfortunately, the draught has had an influence diminishing the yield of the vines, which is already very low.
2016 vintage is a very balanced wine with a great potential for ageing.