MAS MARTINET | Clos Martinet | Priorat | 2021
grenache | syrah | carignan | cabernet sauvignon

© We will be evaluating wines in no particular order on no particular schedule. Just stay tuned and you will never miss our reviews. If the wine is tasted more than once, the rating table will be updated so as to reflect all the new impressions and observations. We hope you will enjoy it!

The Mas Martinet winery was founded in 1989 by Josep Luis Pérez Ovejero – a visionary winemaker and a driving force in the resurgence of Priorat as a distinguished wine region. The winery has since passed down to his daughter, Sara Pérez, who herself is an accomplished oenologist. She now manages 22 hectares of vineyards planted on Priorat’s famous slate-rich soils, with a commitment towards sustainability, with which the estate tries to enhance the biodiversity and practice an environmentally-friendly viticulture.
Tonight we are going to review a striking wine from the mighty Priorat, which is Spain’s most famed wine region – Clos Martinet Priorat 2021 by Mas Martinet. This wine is a harmonious blend of 65% garnatxa negra (local name for grenache), 20% sirà (an alias for syrah), 10% cariñnyena (local name for carignan) and 5% cabernet sauvignon, where grenache forms the wine’s main body and structure, syrah delivers more complexity via color depth and tannin extract, carignan brings to the forefront those dehydrated red fruits notes that are characteristic to many Priorat wines, while cabernet sauvignon adds firmness and builds a more dynamic finish. The grapes for this wine are sourced from the core parcel of Mas Martinet‘s estate – the 7-hectare Clos Martinet vineyard, located between Falset and Gratallops – a sloping landscape with a rich bedrock of slate, that is protected from strong winds by the Serra de Llaberia mountain range.

In order to soften the tannins and add a layer of extra complexity to the final blend, the wine has been fermented in cement tanks and then aged for 17 months in french and austrian oak barrels, then rested in oak foudres and clay jars, with additional bottle ageing time before it was deemed ready for release. As the estate owners have put it, this is the wine of those who believed in terroir and put all their efforts in taking care of the process and the shape – it is the wine of the previous generation.

​The Priorat DOQ, located in Catalonia‘s Tarragona province, is renowned for its powerful and rich red wines, primarily made from old-vine garnacha and cariñena grape varieties. Vineyards are situated on steep, terraced slopes at elevations ranging from 100 to 700 meters above sea level. The region experiences a continental climate with mediterranean influences, characterized by hot, dry summers and cold winters, with annual rainfall between 400 and 600 mm. A distinctive feature of Priorat is its unique ‘llicorella‘ soil – a mix of red and black slate rich in quartz, that provides excellent drainage and imparts a notable minerality to the wines produced here. The region’s challenging terrain results in low-yielding vines, thus providing extra depth, concentration and flavor complexity. The high elevation and hillside vineyards offer perfect growing conditions for many red grape varieties, balancing warm days with cool nights to maintain fruit freshness.

color: medium-deep ruby color
clarity: hazy ruby-indigo shades

In the glass, the wine presents a medium-deep ruby color, adorned with hazy ruby-indigo tones at the glass rim, hinting at its flavor depth and aromatic concentration.

intensity: pronounced & earthy
fruit character: dehydrated

On the first nose, this wine unveils a rich earthen complexity intertwined with nuanced savory elements. The foreground is dominated by notes of earthy dustiness, granite, pencil lead, crushed gravel, and slate, followed by savory undertones of iodine, brown olive, veal, iron, and old leather, which are rounded off by hints of catalan fuet. In the background, notes of dried red fruits – cherry, cranberry, plum and peppercorn spice, contributes an extra layer of intrigue and sophistication.

sweetness: dry | acidity: medium | alcohol:  medium+ | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: seedy

On the palate, the wine reveals a dusty and heady character, marked by a dehydrated accent and an angular and seedy texture. It feels dry, with crisp acidity, a subtle touch of warmth and seedy tannins, which all contribute to a compellingly seedy texture on the mouthfeel. The wine’s complex structure offers a compelling exploration of that traditional, old-world style of winemaking.

maturity: almost in its prime | drink now or in the next 1-2 years
verdict: great | a must try wine | a wine that has all the traits to become legendary

Overall, this wine is a testament to the unique terroir that Priorat wine region has to offer, showcasing its heritage, complexity, and ageing potential. The 2021 vintage comes across as a complex, structured, and dusty wine with a dehydrated profile that reflects strong varietal typicity and a profound representation of the Priorat terroir. The wine’s textural depth suggests it is near its prime form, enjoyable now but better yet within the next 1 or 2 years.

For an exquisite wine tasting experience, consider pairing this wine with grilled lamb or wild game dishes to balance its intricate earthy and savory notes, enhancing both the wine’s flavour complexity and the dish in a mutually complementary wine tasting experience. Cheers!
AMAS MARTINET | Clos Martinet | Priorat | 2021
variety: grenache | syrah | carignan | cabernet sauvignon
country: Spain
region: Catalonia | Montsant
rating: 94.0

The Mas Martinet winery is celebrated for pioneering vibrant interpretations of Priorat wines, challenging perceptions of the region’s capacity. The winery practices biodynamic principles, aligning with a broader shift towards sustainable viticulture, reflecting the innovative spirit that sustains Priorat’s magnificent allure.

© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation. Cheers!