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2018
Maximum expression of the Mediterranean varieties, the Penedès climate and a stony soil, and the result of long ageing on the lees.
Textures de Pedra is named after its vineyard of origin, the Vinya Més Alta, situated at the top of the Turó del Serral, the highest point on our estate, where the soils are stony. The geology of these plots means that the vines' roots have to reach down to deeper layers in order to find water (the soil is fresher), and this produces grapes that favour the creation of more concentrated wines, with more structure.
Bastard negre is a native variety recently discovered on our estate. Up to summer 2015, it was identified as Monestrell. However, when we carried out DNA tests, it was confirmed that this was a far rarer local grape variety that was no longer used: Bastard negre. This variety tastes rustic and has high acidity levels, and is well adapted to our area. It gives Textures de Pedra strength and potency, as well as density and texture on the palate, reinforcing the golden note and giving it volume and tension.
Rainy and wet vintage. A harvest of medium production, with good sugar and acidity balances.
The 2018 vintage began with a drier and colder autumn than usual. With the arrival of winter, the rain also came. During the winter months, it rained 216 mm (the average of the last 25 years is less than 100 mm). Due to this cold period, the sprouting was late.
Spring continued to be very rainy; it rained 212 mm, which caused the recovery of the plant, a good vegetative growth and an abundance of fungi, especially mildew. Precisely at the time of flowering, the most sensitive period for mildew and oidium, it rained every day. Working with phytotherapy, biological control and very low doses of copper we managed to control the fungi.
In August, we had the highest historical temperatures on the estate, reaching 40 °C on 4 August, which caused the cycle to advance a day or so. During the harvest the temperature was rather cool, and we had four days of rain. We made a very rigorous selection of grapes in the vineyard.
During the whole agricultural year, it rained 654.9 mm (the average over the last 20 years is 517.8 mm and the average of the last three years of drought is 387.8 mm). The average temperature was 15.2 °C, similar to the average of the last 20 years.
It is the red variety that historically predominates on the estate. It should not be confused with the Bastardo Atlàntic. The Bastard no doubt comes from the Bastardo Nero planted in Sardinia, and which spread across the Iberian Peninsula as far as La Rioja where it is known as Graciano.
Our Bastard Negre vines were planted in 1974, and the plant material is a massal selection of the estate. It is a variety that keeps the acidity well, has a low pH, and is extremely good for producing long-aged sparkling wines if it is vinified like a vin gris.
A sister of the Xarel·lo variety, and one that has almost disappeared, it has a pink skin, is rustic in agriculture and ripens slowly. It maintains its acidity well and allows us to produce fresh, full-bodied, structured wines as a basis for long-aged sparkling wines.
Red native variety that almost disappeared and which we are recovering. The agricultural work is complicated. Moderately vigorous and producing a high yield, it adapts perfectly to our Mediterranean climate. Its wines generally have a low intensity of colour and are fresh and rustic. Vinified like a vin gris, they produce wines with a good structure, elegant, with a low pH and an acidity that is magnificent for long-aged sparkling wines.
