Welcome Back SURIOL
Suriol is a 400 year old winemaking family 60km's west of Barcelona in the Alt Penedès area of Catalonia, with 17th generation vigneron, Assís Suriol, at the helm. The Suriols operate out of their ancient Gabruac Castle cellars. They've remained true to tradition for centuries, such that today their wines are championed by the Natural Wine movement as an artifact of classical wine. They are leaders in organic and biodynamic farming in their area and sculptors of serene cavas and still wines of place and substance.
"We have only one way to produce quality grapes: We own our vineyards and cultivate our own grapes, 32 hectares under vine with over 25 completely different micro plots, each farmed deftly to limit yields and emphasize nuanced wines expressing the unique terroir of each specific plot and of the Pènedes as a whole."
— Assis Suriol
Suriol also tends 3 hectares of arbequina olive trees and a well-loved flock of sheep that graze their vineyards. Suriol's wines are thought provoking experiences that seem to demand your attention, quite unlike the cheap n' cheerful Cavas we often see from Catalonia. They are mineral driven and already showing tertiary notes of age upon release. These wines keep us on our toes and coming back for more, trying to put words to the unique aromas and sensations they offer.
THE WINES
2018 Cava Blanc Reserva
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2019 Cava Rosat Reserva
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2021 “Donzella” Xarel·lo
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2017 “Sang de Drac” Tempranillo
AB CSPC/SKU # 784280
2018 Cava Blanc Reserva
Alt Penedès DO.
From 3 different parcels of the original autochtonous Cava varieties, this cuvée is comprised of 40% Macabeo from La Plana vineyard, 30% Xarel·lo from L’Hort vineyard, and 30% Parellada from Les Carbasses vineyard. Each parcel is fermented individually with indigeneous yeasts followed by a natural malolactic fermentation occurring in underground concrete tanks during the winter after the harvest. The wine is then racked, blended, and bottled, where it rests more than two years on the lees until hand disgorged to order for Vino al Vino. This is a lovely Cava with rich flavors, freshness, and an elegant balance between fine bubbles and notes of bread yeast, honey and citrus.
- Varietal/Blend: 40% Macabeo/30% Xarel-lo/30% Parellada
- Fermentation: Natural Yeasts
- Ageing: The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks and in bottle.
- Vineyard & Vine Age: Le Plana, L’Hort, Les Carbasses. Suriol Estate. The vines were planted in 1995 or earlier. Certified organic with biodynamic practices.
- ABV: 12.0%
- Produced Cases: 5.000
AB CSPC/SKU # 820326
2019 Cava Rosat Reserva
Alt Penedès DO.
Two single plots of each varietal, certified organic with biodynamic practices, hand harvested and gently pressed with only 6 hours of skin contact. Fermented in underground concrete caverns in their 350 year old cellars boasting a dense and complex yeast population. After fermentation, the wine is aged a year in chestnut barrels before being blended and beginning second fermentation in bottle where it is aged two years on the lees (Champenois method) before being hand disgorged. Generous acidity and lovely leesy texture. Cranberry, raspberry, and floral aromas opening up into goji berries, roasted chestnut, white chocolate, and almond croissant. Just incredible value in these bottles.
- Varietal/Blend: Roughly 50/50 Garnatxa & Mataró
- Fermentation: Spontaneous fermentation with ambient yeast. Méthode traditionnelle.
- Ageing: First fermentation rested 12 months on lees in 300 yo cellar's underground tanks. Second fermentation in bottle with 26 months rest. Hand riddled and disgorged. No dosage.
- Vineyard & Vine Age: Estate vineyards: Garnatxa from Els Lladenels plot, Monastrell from Mataró plot. Both replanted 2008. Certified organic with biodynamic practices.
- ABV: 12.0%
- Produced Cases: 1,210
AB CSPC/SKU #820327
2021 “Donzella” Xarel·lo
Alt Penedès DO, Catalonia
A seductive and rounded Xarel-lo with huge, Champagne like aromas of nuts, dried pear and peach, and wild herbs complimented with a Fino sherry like bruised apple note. The leesy roundness is juxtaposed by a tense laser-like acidity that pulls through the center of the palate like the high E string tautly stretched down a Spanish guitar's neck. This wine is an ideal pairing with vegetables either fresh or grilled, seafood and grilled poultry. It is difficult to find a white this complex at this price! Both texture and weight combined with freshness and fruit. Drink now or age 3-6 years.
- Varietal/Blend: 100% Xarel·lo
- Fermentation: Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in concrete tanks. Natural malolactic fermentation.
- Ageing: The wine is aged in underground concrete tanks.
- Vineyard & Vine Age: El Bosc & L’Hort Vineyards. Suriol Estate. The vines were planted in 1989 or earlier. Certified organic with biodynamic practices.
- ABV: 12.0%
- Produced Cases: 330
AB CSPC/SKU # 785330
2017 “Sang de Drac” Tempranillo
Alt Penedès DO, Catalonia
Sang de Drac, meaning Blood of the Dragon, is a fitting name for such a brooding and ancient tasting wine. Ull de Llebre, the Catalan phenotype of Tempranillo, delivers a more savoury and tobacco-like wine. Notes of dark fruit give way to leather, tobacco, and dried mushrooms yet strangely we still find bing cherry and bright high toned fruit notes in the mix. Ample tannins lend a far more powerful presence to the wine than the tertiary, earthy nose might suggest. An oxidative style for those who love serious and brawny maturity in their glass but with the upright acidity of the Penedès's high elevation plots.
- Varietal/Blend: 100% Ull de Llebre (Catalan phenotype of Tempranillo)
- Fermentation: Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in concrete tanks. 9 days of maceration. Natural malolactic fermentation.
- Ageing: The wine is aged for 20 months in traditional underground tanks followed by 12 months in chestnut barrels.
- Vineyard & Vine Age: Mas Rossell & el Pelegri Vineyards. Suriol Estate. The vines were planted in 1995 or earlier. Certified organic with biodynamic practices. Hand harvested. 5,000 kg/ha yield.
- ABV: 13%
- Produced Cases: 704
Vino Al Vino is an Alberta wine agent and wine wholesaler specializing in real wines, wines with minimal intervention. All of our wines are sustainable. Almost all of our wines are certified organic. Many of our wines are certified biodynamic. Many of our wines are full-throttle zero-zero natural wines.
