Variety: Garnacha, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah

The year was 1997. A world-renowned winemaker had just shown Christopher Cannan and his wife, Charlotte, an abandoned vineyard just north of the Gratallops called “Figueres.” That same day, the entire Cannan family piled into their car and followed the winemaker, post-haste, to Barcelona. At a simple café, the Cannan’s purchased the 100-hectare estate. Initially, the terrain of the previously abandoned vineyards had to be prepared for planting. (A nearby grove of century-old olive trees needed to be re-worked as well.) Both undertakings were just the beginning of what would become the Cannan family’s quest. They traveled extensively in their spare time to work under some of the best winemakers in the world. Today, their combination of passion for the property and skill in the cellar sets these wines above the rest.

The Serras del Priorat is a younger expression of the Priorat style with a fresh fruitness; the wine is ready to drink, though has age potential for another ten years. This is a fine introduction to Priorat and the rest of Christopher Cannan’s wines.