Winemaker Notes
Named for the mountains that surround the Priorat, the Monsant has many of the same qualities of its neighbor- namely high elevation to provide freshness and minerality to the wines and a generous climate resulting in richness and concentration. A blend of old vine Garnatxa and a modest percentage of younger Syrah, Mas Donis comes from a complex mixture of soils ranging from alluvial clay and limestone, to sand, granite and slate.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
