Família Nin-Ortiz, Planetes de Nin 2014, Priorat, Catalunya, Spain

Our View:

A superb and great value Priorat wine from Família Nin-Ortiz. Another “must buy” for us on first tasting.

Approachable and enjoyable now but will certainly develop and improve with time.

The Wine:

Família Nin-Ortiz’ prestigious Priorat wines are made by Ester Nin and her husband Carles. 

The grapes are sourced from vineyards in the Porrera municipality, at 500 metres of altitude. The vines are 20-80 years old and are planted on the characteristic llicorella soils of Priorat, derived from slate and quartz, which help to drain water and retain heat during the day, helping to ripen the grapes. The climate is Mediterranean but with high diurnal temperature variation, and typical annual rainfall is around 400-600 mm.

Viticulture is organic and biodynamic, yielding around 5.5 hl/ha.

The grapes destemmed and fermented in oak foudres, using only wild yeast. The maturation process takes 18 months in French oak foudres, and the wine is finally bottled by gravity and unfiltered.

Tasting Note:

Gentle nose displaying aromas of cherries and red currants, liquorice and hints of leather notes. It is nervy on the palate with velvety tannins and medium to full body. 

The Facts:

 What the critics say:

"Similarly, the 2014 Planetes de Nin is a blend of Garnacha and Cariñena, but the percentages were reversed, 40% of the former and 60% of the later; they had taken some Garnacha for the amphora wine and therefore the Planetes has less of it. It's ripe, a little heady (15.5% alcohol) but with good freshness and acidity. It matured in two large oak foudres and amphorae for 17 months. It might not be your typical Porrera, because it's certainly a lot more elegant, perfumed and refined. The palate is equally elegant, with subtle minerality and great freshness. There are 8,344 bottles produced." 94/100 Luis Gutiérrez for Wine Advocate