100% Grenache Blanc (Garnacha Blanco)
Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
Some people browse bookstores and gift shops when they visit new places—I visit wine shops. On a recent trip, I stumbled upon the last bottle of Costers del Priorat Blanc de Closos and couldn’t resist my curiosity. Costers del Priorat is a distinguished, organically driven winery tucked into the steep, slate-rich slopes (“costers”) of El Molar in Catalonia’s acclaimed Priorat region. Their approach is rooted in terroir and minimal intervention, using native yeasts and a variety of aging vessels—amphorae, cement, demi-muids, large foudres, and French oak—to highlight minerality and freshness over sheer power.
Blanc de Closos is their rare “brisat” skin-contact white, aged in oak barrels for up to four months. In the glass, it presents a striking golden hue, with aromas of ripe pear and subtle oak. The palate is dry and richly textured, low in acidity, with a whisper of Amontillado-like nuttiness. A compelling and unexpected find.