2019 Maius Garnatxa Blanca Priorat

Maius DOQ Priorat is located in the upper part of the DOQ Priorat at approx. 550 m above sea level and the 12 hectare vineyard is located on the typical "licorella" (slate) rich mineral composition. The microclimate is very dry and warm, but due to the altitude it is noticeably cooler at night. The vines have a very low yield due to climate but also due to the vision of Josep Gomez. Due to the inhospitable area, industrialization of viticulture and harvest is not possible, Josep and his team work the land in an artisanal way. The result is very impressive, with two great wines with an unprecedented good price/quality for a wine from the Priorat. The wines have a lot of character but at the same time a lively freshness, balance and elegance.

This beautiful white Priorat from Maius is a 100% Garnatxa Blanca (Grenache white) and was born in 2017. After the fully manual harvest at the end of September in the inhospitable part of the Priorat, the grapes are destemmed and are only crushed and not crushed to ensure that the oxidizable tannins cannot participate in the fermentation. This is a lot more work and also a seriously lower yield but makes a really big difference in quality and potential. The grapes are fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel to obtain the most honest, authentic smell and taste of the Garnatxa Blanca (so no addition of oak or other aids that add flavor). The alcoholic fermentation takes place at a temperature of 16ºC. After about 10 days of fermentation, the wine matures in peace for 4-5 months on its own lees (sur lie) to add extra flavor and a textural roundness to the wine. The dregs are stirred regularly so that all the juice comes into contact with the dregs. The wine is then bottled and is then bottled for at least six months

In the glass, the Maius Blanc has a clear, pale lemon color with beautiful tears. In the nose, the wine is medium bodied, fresh with aromas of green fruit (apple), stone fruit (peach), citrus fruit (lemon), floral (elderflower), yeast notes (due to the lees of the lees) and a nice minerality with a touch of lime as befits a Priorat. In the mouth the wine is dry, with refreshing acidity, well-balanced presence of alcohol, creamy and elegant. The 13% alcohol content is also very nice, so no excessively alcoholic wine, but the elegance that typifies this white Maius.

The wine is in development but still young so advice is to decant it in its younger years. In summary, the Maius is a very handsome white priorat with an excellent price/quality ratio, especially if we consider that we are talking about an authentic and completely manually produced wine where nature can do its work.