Cartoixa Scala Dei 1975

Wine: Cartoixa Scala Dei 1975
Winery: Cellers de Scala Dei (Scala Dei, Tarragona)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Q. Priorat
Varietals: 90% Garnatxa Negra, 10% Carinyena.
ABV: [Not specified]

Winemaking
Hand-harvested grapes. Traditional vinification including the stems (raspón) during pressing to provide tannin structure. Maceration and fermentation were conducted in open concrete vats without temperature control. The wine was subsequently matured in large 25,000-liter oak vats. Limited production of 106,445 bottles (75 cl).

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Garnet-ruby of medium depth; clear but slightly turbid with a significant amount of sediment at the base of the bottle. It displays orange reflections and a broad, copper-toned rim.

 

Nose: Despite the cork being in poor condition (partially saturated and fragile), the wine unfurls beautifully after one hour of aeration. Initially, it shows delicate reductive notes of hearth smoke, charcoal, and attic dust, alongside nuances of seasoned wood, solera hints, and vinous staves. Once opened, it reveals a quintessential old-school Priorat profile: Mediterranean and mountainous. It expresses its origin through aromatic herbs (lavender, thyme, rosemary) and dried flowers, layered over fruit jam, macerated plums, arbutus berries and cherries in liqueur. Elegant and discreet, with a deep background of cocoa and noble wood. 

 

Palate: The wine reaches its full expression on the palate. It is the epitome of smoothness and elegance - fresh, light, and exceptionally refined. Medium-bodied with firm, lively tannins, it is savory and displays a seasoned wood character that integrates perfectly with the liqueur-like cherries and a core of candied black fruit. It remains agile and balanced, standing in stark contrast to the high-extraction style of modern Priorats. 

 

Personal Score: 95
Tasting Group Score: 95