Profile of La Conreria de Scala Dei
Wine Map Priorat
Profile of Priorat Wine Region
La Conreria de Scala Dei has to be one of the most beautifully located wineries in the Iberian Peninsula.
Nestled in the ancient village of Scala Dei, right under the beautiful Montsant ("holy mountain") and just
next to the 12th century Cartoixa d' Scala-Dei, a stunning monastery in ruins, today the symbol of the
chic Priorat wine region.
This top end winery, run by three partners (one of whom is a priest), is particularly well-known for making exciting white wines with the native Garnacha Blanca grape (Grenache
Blanc). Priorat is not the most famous of Spanish wine regions for whites; one usually thinks of the blockbuster, high alcohol reds (which La Conreria d' Scala Dei also make) adored by American, French
and British wine critics. But wines such as "Nona" and "Les Brugueres" stand out in the sea of wines, as unusual, interesting and deliciously memorable. They are both creamy, oily even, and need food.
Visiting La Conreria de Scala Dei is a treat. Winemaker Jordi Vidal, one of the most modest and talented
enologists in the area, will let you taste a sample of the "black wines" from the barrel and have a peek
around the micro boutique winery. The cellars lead out to a vineyard with views over the gorgeous
mountains.
Robert Parker
Les Brugueres 2003 (92? Points)- "This is one of the more reasonably priced wineries from
the fashionable Priorat appellation. The question mark affixed to the score of the 2003 Les Brugueres is
basically a warning. This is an intriguing (I loved it) wine with a murky light gold color. The color
should alert tasters that something is going on here.and a lot is. Made from 100+-year-old vines of white
Grenache, it exhibits a remote similarity to a top-flight white Ch?teauneuf du Pape. Very kinky, it
reveals aromas of linseed oil, melted wax, ripe fruits (particularly peach and lychee), and underlying
minerality. Dry, full-bodied, and powerful, with the intensity of a substantial red in its flavor
profile, it is one of those "love it or leave it" dry whites. Although unusual to my tastes, it is
brilliant."- Parker
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Address:
La Conreria d' Scala Dei
Address: Mitja Galta, 32, 43379 Scala Dei (Tarragona), Spain
Tel: : +34 977827055
Fax: : +34 977827055
Email: laconreria@vinslaconreria.com
Winery Details
D.O.: Priorat/ Priorato
Founded: 1997
Owner: Josep Maria Mitjans
Managing Director: Jaume Sabater
Winemaker:Jordi Vidal
Area under Vine: 13 ac own vineyards, 4 ha controlled vineyards
Oak: 40 American oak barrels, 38 French oak barrels
Grape Varietals: Garnacha Tinta (Grenache Noir), Cabernet Sauvignon, Cariñena (Carignan), Merlot, Garnacha Blanca (Grenache Blanc)
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