2018 Familia Nin Ortiz Priorat “Planetes de Nin”, Catalonia, Spain

ABOUT THIS WINE

Planetes, not unexpectedly, comes from Finca Les Planetes, where Carles Ortiz purchased and renovated a northeast-facing, nearly 5ha plot of vines on schist soils on the outskirts of the village of Porrera. Planetes is a blend of young-vine Garnatxa Negra and Carinyena that is harvested by hand, partially destemmed (30%), fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged in foudre and amphorae. The freshness and brightness of Planetes is a testament to the relatively cooler, northeast-facing aspect of the site as well as the hands-off approach that Carles and Ester take in the cellar.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

With two viticulturists devoted to biodynamics principles, the farming at Familia Nin-Ortiz employs only organic materials, including mineral sulfur in the vineyard, sprayed biodynamic infusions, and applications of their own compost. They are members of Nicolas Joly’s organization, “La Renaissance des Appellations,” and share their knowledge with neighbors interested in pursuing the transition to biodynamic farming. Weeding is done by hand, and the soils are plowed by mules to revitalize their soils. Harvesting, always by hand, commences early when pH levels are balanced by ripe fruit. When the fruit arrives at their cellar, newly completed in 2012, it is carefully sorted to remove any overripe fruit and partially destemmed, then chilled for 24-48 hours to prevent oxidation at the beginning of the winemaking process. Fermentations occur spontaneously and take place in foudre, demi-muids, or amphorae. Familia Nin-Ortiz’s goal is to produce elegant wines, so extraction is also natural, occurring without aggressive manipulation of the cap. Aging takes place primarily in neutral vessels so the purity of the site can be preserved.