Partida Manyetes - Solertia 2013

Partida Manyetes  – Solertia 2013 (90 TSW)

Solertia is the 2nd wine made by René Barbier by René Barbier's top 3 winery of the Priorat Clos Mogador since 2004 and comes from the famous Fincas de Manyetes plot, located in Gratallops, the heart of the Priorat. In the crisis they had to sell this plot including the rights to the Solertia. A French couple bought it and attracted 2 of the region's best winemakers (Joan Diego, Josep Serra) to continue the production of this famous wine. And with success, the quality of the 2013 vintage is at least as good as earlier.

The 2013 harvest was exceptionally good in the Priorat. The winter was cold and wet with snow, the spring brought a lot of rain in April, followed by one of the hottest summers in the Priorat in May, with temperatures of 40 degrees in July and August. Factors that balance, regulate and even promote maturation. The year 2013 was an exceptionally good vintage for the Priorat!

About the wine:

Made from 55% Garnacha, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10 % Syrah, from vines planted on narrow terraces, and steep hills on slate soils, giving them an ideal sun exposure. Harvested and selected by hand, and following a traditional winemaking process, the wine is left alone for 12 months in 300 liter French oak barrels and egg-shaped cement containers.

My tasting notes:

First decanted the wine for two hours.

In the glass a medium+ intense ruby red color.
On the medium+ nose aromas of black cherries and berries, cassis and ripe plums with hints of cloves, figes, spices, light vanilla and cedar.
On the palate dry, full bodied with medium acidity and medium+ ripe tannins. Flavours are a recall of the nose with dark fruits, spices, chocolate, herbs and a medium+ length finish. Great value Priorat.