2020 Cal Besso "Elvira" Blanc Montsant

Cal Besso is the relatively new Montsant project from the Castellví Figuerola family, who own and run Celler de l’Encastell in Priorat, and local grape grower Jaume Valles. Based around the village of Els Guiamets, located less than 10 miles South of the heart of Priorat, Cal Besso is the name of the family’s home and where the cellar is located. In their corner of Montsant, the terrain is not as dramatic as in Priorat, with more rolling hills that make farming significantly easier. The soil in their vineyards is predominantly calcareous but there is also some granite and slate (llicorella). The proximity not only to the Sea but the Ebro River and the Mountain ranges of Montsant, Montalt, and Llaberia help mitigate the warm Mediterranean climate. The winemaking is simple; they do just enough to avoid interfering with the expression of the fruit and the vineyards. The wines are aged in stainless steel, French oak, American oak and Acacia barrels. Historicaly, the family's business in the region was growing cherries and plums, to which they pay homage with their wine names.