Pla dels Àngels Priorat Rosé, Scala Dei 2024 75cl
A pale, pretty rose from one of Priorat's most historic estates, made entirely from Garnacha. Scala Dei traces its roots to a 12th-century Carthusian monastery, and Pla dels Angels takes the region's signature grape and turns it into something light-footed and thirst-quenching.
Priorat is famous for dense, powerful reds grown on its steep llicorella slate soils, so a delicate rose from here is a lovely change of pace. The fruit for this comes from higher, cooler parcels, and the wine is made in a fresh, dry Provencal style rather than anything sweet or heavy.
The colour is a very pale onion-skin pink. On the nose you get wild strawberry, white peach, a little citrus pith and a floral lift. The palate is dry and gently structured, with redcurrant and grapefruit fruit, a whisper of the region's stony minerality and a clean, refreshing finish. Garnacha gives it a touch more body than a typical Provence rose without losing its poise.
At around £26 it is a genuinely characterful pink with real sense of place. Drink it young and cold through spring and summer.
How to Serve
Serve well chilled at 8-10C in a standard white wine glass. No decanting needed.
Where to Drink It
Barrafina in Soho for Spanish small plates. Brindisa in Borough Market for a sunny lunch. Sabor in Mayfair for the full Iberian treatment.
Food Pairings
Grilled prawns with garlic, or a plate of jamon and salted almonds.
