Laurel Blanc 2023
39,44 €
Laurel Blanc – a rare and elegant white wine from Priorat that combines minerality, rich texture and freshness. Ripe stone fruit, citrus vibrancy and a light touch of oak make it a versatile partner for seafood as well as more refined gourmet dishes.
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The wine's story:
In 2022 Daphne acquired a 13-hectare plot in the Les Manyetes Paratge, on the southern edge of the village of Gratallops. Of this, 8.5 hectares are planted with vines, while the rest is given over to olive trees or left wild. The oldest vines were planted by René Barbier, and although the land has changed hands over time, René has always been connected to it in some way.
Daphne's interest in this plot arose from the roughly six hectares of red-grape vineyards on it, in which she saw the potential to create an entirely new red cuvée. For now, the grapes from this area go into the Laurel blend.
If you have read this far, you may be wondering why the maths doesn’t add up. The missing part consists of 2.5 hectares of Garnacha Blanca, 0.46 hectares of Chenin Blanc, 0.28 hectares of Viognier and a few rows of Muscat. These vines came with the purchase, and when the 2023 harvest arrived unexpectedly early and proved challenging, they were picked first, destemmed and chilled for a day while Daphne tried to borrow a small hand press from Ester Nin and find free vats for fermentation and ageing.
Having largely left the wine to its own devices until the end of harvest, Daphne thought her first attempt at making a white wine would remain unknown outside her cellar. But at every stage the wine became ever more expressive – from blending to a rest of several months after bottling – showing the first signs of the unique terroir of Les Manyetes.
Winemaking:
- Grapes: Garnacha Blanca (~75%), Chenin Blanc (~15%), Viognier and Muscat (~10%)
- Vineyard: Les Manyetes, at 225–240 m altitude in Gratallops
- Soil: Schist (slate)
- Farming: Organic (CCPAE certified) and biodynamic practices
- 24h cold soak and chilling; whole bunches were pressed in a small hand press
- Spontaneous fermentation in 400L French oak barrels and clay amphorae
- Ageing: 8 months in the same vessels (used oak barrels + amphorae)
- Bottled in mid-2024, ~3,400 bottles produced
Tasting notes:
Golden colour with a delicate glint of lemon peel. On the nose, ripe white peach, honeyed apple, orange blossom and rosemary. In the background, pollen, spicy notes and an elegant minerality.
Full on the palate and silky in texture, yet fresh and mineral. Pear, quince, dried apricot and fennel lend the wine complexity, while the bright acidity of the Chenin Blanc keeps it elegant and balanced. The finish is long and nuanced, ending with citrus peel, saline minerality and a fine bitterness.
Food pairing:
Pairs with seafood, Mediterranean vegetable dishes and white meat:
- Seafood: paella, grilled king prawns, bacalao (salt cod)
- Vegetarian dishes: grilled artichokes, garlic-sautéed spinach, allioli
- A luxurious pairing: lobster with citrus beurre blanc
- White meat: herb-roasted chicken, Moroccan lemon chicken tagine
- Local Catalan classics: fideuà with aioli, young Mahón cheese
Serve at 10–12°C to let the aromas open up fully.
Ageing potential:
Laurel Blanc 2023 is ready to enjoy now but will develop well for 5–7 years. Best 2025–2030, gaining honeyed and nutty nuances over time, much like top Rhône whites.
| Weight | 1,4 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 33 × 26 × 3,5 cm |
| Grape variety | Chenin Blanc, Garnacha Blanca, Moscatel, Viognier |
| Region | Priorat |
| Food pairing | Oysters and seafood, Vegetables and vegetarian dishes, Poultry, White fish |
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