Rotllan Torra - Priorat 2011
Pairing Suggestions
Rotllan Torra - Priorat 2011 (87 TSW)
38 years of history in the Priorat. Rotllan Torra Winery is a family company created in 1982, before the emergence of the so-called new Priorats, wines boosted by the praise of critic Robert Parker. The Rotllan family, formerly wine distributors in Penedès, moved to Priorat when it learned of the region’s amazing potential. At the time, the firm was the sixth winery in Priorat as well as the one of the first to bottle all of its production.
The main attraction at Rotllan Torra, apart from sampling the wines, is the history and architecture of the facility, built in the middle of the 17th century by the Carthusian monks of Scala Dei in a Renaissance style with Cistercian influences. From the start it was designed as a cellar, with an enormous capacity of one million litres of wine.
Rotllan Torra has 24 hectares of vineyards with vines over 70 years old, and young vineyard terraces with varieties such as Syrah, Cab Sav, Malbec and Cabernet Franc, located at the end of Torroja. The winery produces around 200.000 bottles a year, 80% of which is exported.
About the wine:
An easy going Priorat blend with equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Mazuelo and Grenache.
The vines from this wine are young, nearly 20 years of age. Planted in poor slate soils.
For production, the grapes are fermented at 28ºC and then a maceration with husks for 20 days. After this process, the wine is transferred to French Bordeaux oak barrels and third year American oak barrels for 12 months.
My tasting notes:
In the glass a deep ruby red color with a light brick rim.
On the medium(+) nose aromas odf blackberries, black currants and vanilla with hints of chocolate, espresso, herbs, leather and earth.
On the palate dry, medium(+) bodied with medium acidity and soft tannins. Light sweetness of the fruit with mostly tertiary aromas.
Medium length finish. Think I would enjoy this one at a bit younger age. seems to have had the best years.