Scala Dei Wines

This is original Priorat - the wine that gave the entire region its name and put it on the map It has a very deep, dense, violet-tinted morello cherry appearance Intense ripe black plum fruit intermingles with soaring violet and mountain herb aromas, and a distinct mineral suggestion, reflecting Priorat's characteristic 'licorella' slate terroir soil The fruit from higher-altitude vineyards (up to 800m) is aged in large oak vessels which do not mask the bright freshness that the high elevation brings Fruit from sites at 400-550m has more robustness, and so benefits from ageing in medium-sized barrels, which add subtle spicy vanilla, pepper and toasted notes to the wine On the palate it is robust, creamy and supple-textured, with intense, mature tannins, full, rounded body and a long lingering finish

El Tribut de Scala Dei is a beautiful wine made from grapes grown in vineyards under cultivation since the 12th Century It has a wonderfully intense raspberry and black pepper aroma, with exciting hints of freesia and Mediterranean herbs On the palate, it is fresh and tangy, with ripe yet tart fruit flavours and light, soft tannins This comes both from Scala Dei's high altitude clay-limestone vineyards at Priorat's northernmost extent, as well as sites with licorella (slate) bedrock further to the south Made mostly from Garnatxa, with a little Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carinyena

Deep intense ruby-garnet in colour with a blue-hued rim Intense and lingering aromas of red and black fruit: wild strawberries and blackberries, and violet floral nuances, underlain by supple spiciness and toasty notes This wine has body, finesse, a silky mouthfeel with ripe, elegant tannins, which are enhanced by mineral aromas from the licorella soil Scala Dei is THE wine of the Priorat with the DOC being built around Scala Dei Cartoixa which is still produced today Founded in the 12th Century by Carthusian monks who were trying to settle around Montsant (the holy mountain), local shepherds told them that at night they could see the angels climbing God s stairs to meet him (Scala Dei - Ladder of God) So they settled and started making wine and the name was born For this reason, every single bottle of wine produced in the Priorat must have the logo of Scala Dei on the bottle, whichever vineyard makes it

A wine of almost indescribable beauty, made in such tiny quantities that, alas, only a few will ever get to experience it Think the supple harmony of Musigny Grand Cru (at a small fraction of the price), super-silky and super-pure, with delicate raspberry, rosewater and aniseed aromas, subtle fruit and supple texture and an almost hidden but present liquorice-like concentration on the hauntingly-long finish Like the finest of Burgundy, this is immediately irresistible yet with the finesse and balance to last a decade or longer This comes from a tiny, terraced vineyard located at 580-650 metres elevation, above an impressive cliff edge on the side of the Montsant mountain The site was tended for centuries by the Carthusian monks of the Scala Dei priory, and was replanted by the current owners in 1973

The Grenache (Garnatxa) grape is esteemed as the most transparent expression of Priorat's diverse vineyard sites This 100% Grenache is utterly delicious, with aromas of raspberries, blueberries and rose petals It evokes a sense of a herb-tinged breeze under blazing Mediterranean sunshine, while remaining fresh and gentle, with a gentle, caressing texture

A wine of almost indescribable beauty, made in such tiny quantities that, alas, only a few will ever get to experience it Think the supple harmony of Musigny Grand Cru (at a small fraction of the price), super-silky and super-pure, with delicate raspberry, rosewater and aniseed aromas, subtle fruit and supple texture and an almost hidden but present liquorice-like concentration on the hauntingly-long finish Like the finest of Burgundy, this is immediately irresistible yet with the finesse and balance to last a decade or longer This comes from a tiny, terraced vineyard located at 580-650 metres elevation, above an impressive cliff edge on the side of the Montsant mountain The site was tended for centuries by the Carthusian monks of the Scala Dei priory, and was replanted by the current owners in 1973