Planetes Carinyena Blanca 2024

Planetes Carinyena Blanca is a single variety white from Família Nin-Ortiz, the Porrera project run by winemaker Ester Nin and Carles Ortiz in the DOQ Priorat. Nin trained in her native Penedès and worked on Clos Erasmus before setting up here, and the wines are farmed biodynamically. Priorat is defined by its llicorella, a decomposed slate and quartzite that drains sharply and forces the vines to root deep, while the surrounding sierra shelters the valley and opens up a wide day to night temperature swing. That cool contrast holds acidity in the fruit and gives Cariñena Blanca, a rare white mutation of the region's black Cariñena, its firm line and saline grip. Fermentation keeps the focus on the grape and the site rather than on oak. The wine is pale straw with a green cast. The nose is dry and stony, with lemon, green apple and white peach over thyme and white flowers. The palate is taut and savoury, carrying a chalky, salt-tinged length that reflects the slate. Serve it at 10 to 12 degrees in a white wine glass.