Clos Farena 2024

Clos Farena farms organically in Priorat, the mountainous Catalan region defined by its licorella soils of crumbling black slate and quartz. Those steep, poor soils force vines to root deep for water, giving low yields and concentrated fruit, while the Mediterranean climate ripens Garnacha Blanca fully. Garnacha Blanca is a grape of body and moderate acidity that suits this warm setting, producing broad, textured whites rather than sharp, aromatic ones. Made without new oak here, the wine keeps its fruit and its sense of place clear, the slate lending a mineral, faintly saline cut that balances the ripe fruit weight. The colour is bright straw with golden lights. The nose shows ripe white peach and pear alongside a herbal, thyme like note and white flowers. The palate is full and rounded, the Mediterranean fruit given line by a stony minerality and a light almond bitterness on the close, which finishes long and dry. Serve at 10 to 12 degrees.