Celler Piñol Mather Teresina Terra Alta 2019

High in the mountains of Tarragona, 45 miles south of Barcelona, sits Celler Piñol winery in the teeny town of Batea. Known for producing high-quality, exceptionally valued wines, the municipality is a Spanish locals’ favorite for delicious wine that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. This aromatic blend of garnacha, cariñena, and morenillo received an applaudable 96 points from the Decanter World Wine Awards – and we’ve got some of this elegant, earthy, smoky goodness for over 50% off!

Set in the Terra Alta region – next to Priorat – Celler Piñol is propped 1,300 feet above the Mediterranean Sea, experiencing blistering hot days and chilled nights with moderate rainfall. The diverse climate – along with the limestone and clay soils, lacking in organic matter and nutrient density – produce small yields of fruit, though the berries that do survive are intensely concentrated with ample acidity and juicy flavors. However high in elevation, the vineyards are protected from the harshest of elements, thanks to the even higher mountains towering around them.

These vineyards are old, family-owned, and organically farmed for over the past 20 years. The production team uses a mixed approach of technology, tradition, and artistry to craft an assortment of regionally native wines, including garnacha (both red and white), cariñena, and morenillo, plus a rosé and two sweet wines. This 2019 Mather Teresina is a wine meant to represent femininity – celebrating tradition and the passing down of knowledge from generation to generation. The 70% grenache, 20% cariñena, and 10% morenillo blend was harvested from 45- to 75-year-old vines – from some of Celler Piñol’s oldest and best vineyard sites – and aged for 18 months in French oak barrels.

The grenache brings a balanced and bountiful personality of red cherries, blueberries, candied orange rind, creamy oak, and tobacco leaf, while the cariñena adds in more dark fruit, like blackberry and black currant, plus savory elements of dry-cured salami and balsamic reduction. The touch of morenillo adds some smoky minerality to the blend, akin to peppercorn, smoked meats, and wet earth. This is a wild ride of a Spanish red – and extremely satisfying to sip on, no matter the occasion, with deep, round, bodacious tannins, well-structured acidity, and magnificent potential to age (though, drinking fabulously now too)!

Under $40 for a 96 point Spanish stunner from a small, organic, high-elevation, family producer – and free shipping on 4+ bottles! It’s a decision that makes itself, really. Go forth and prosper!