Clos Alzina is a true grand cru parcel in the village of Torroja del Priorat. It is a high-elevation (600m), north-facing site planted in 1939 and is composed of steep, terraced vineyards surrounding the old Alsera masía (Catalan farmhouse) that dates from 1839. Clos Alzina comes from the very top portion of the Mas Alsera slope planted in decomposed yellow and red slate. The name Alzina is a reference to the acorn trees, many of which are planted around the vineyard to lure the local wild pigs into choosing the acorns while leaving the precious grapes in the vineyard. Although in the center of Priorat, wines from Torroja transmit a distinct feeling of freshness due to the cool air channeled into the village from the ocean by the surrounding mountains at night. Clos Alzina is a limited 100% samsó (carignan) Vi de Paratge bottling, built to improve with additional time in bottle. Wines are made with low intervention and minimal sulfur at bottling.

Vintage – The 2018 vintage in Priorat began with abundant rain the previous year and a cold winter. Spring was cool and rainy, replenishing water tables, as well as delaying flowering. Summer was quite mild and dry, allowing grapes to develop slowly, with even ripening. Generally calm days and cool nights allowed the grapes to come to harmonious phenolic and alcoholic ripeness. The wines from 2018 are aromatic and well-balanced, with ample acidity and ripe tannins to allow the wines to age gracefully in bottle. 2018 is a great vintage for the cellar.

Vinification – After a manual harvest, fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts in 500L French barrels, with subsequent 40-day maceration and spontaneous malolactic fermentation. The wine is then aged for 12 months in the same vessels.