On the slopes of Priorat, Mas Doix cultivates 42 acres (17 ha) of vines in iconic
Licorella soil with a timeless bedrock of slate. The estate focuses on producing classic expressions with fruit from centennial plantings of Cariñena and Garnacha. With a recently built winery designed with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind, Mas Doix now stands poised to continue its long legacy of making unexpectedly elegant, fresh wines with the classic character of Priorat.
SINCE 2004
KEY FACTS CLIMATE: Mediterranean: cold, dry winters and rainy springs; dry, warm summers, with great thermal contrast between day and night
ELEVATION: 820 - 2,132 feet (250 - 650 m)
SOILS: Predominantly decomposed slate and shale, locally known as licorella
CLASS: DOQ Priorat
HISTORY Valentí and Ramon Llagostera arrived in Poboleda because of family ties with the Doix family. While harvesting the 110-year-old Garnacha and Cariñena vines in October 1998, the Llagosteras approached the Doix family about making wine with the grapes that were taken to the Poboleda Cooperative. Winemaking started in a small winery in 1999, Mas Doix’s first vintage. The Llagosteras acquired the Doix share of the project in 2015, and in 2019 went into partnership with the Cliff Lede family, owners of the eponymous winery in Stag’s Leap, Napa Valley. A new winery outside the village of Poboleda was inaugurated a year later.
VINE: 59 acres (24 ha), with 30 acres
(13 ha) GPE approved; sox principal sites
KEY VARIETALS: Cariñena,
Garnacha, Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo
ECO: Certified organic and biodynamic practices
INNOVATE: Experimental irrigation system
SUSTAINABLE VALUES Mas Doix is energy and water self-sufficient, powered by an autonomous power generating system and rainwater collection facilities. They also installed a wastewater treatment plant. All vineyards are organic and guided by biodynamic practice, such as following the lunar phases. Biodiversity efforts include planting of olive, hazelnut and native fruit trees. The entire river area is protected to allow birds, fish, amphibians and small mammals in the area to flourish.
THE TEAM Co-founders Ramon and Valentí Llagostera serve as head winemakers, assisted by Jordi Jutglar, director of viticulture; Sergei Batet, oenologist; and a talented viticulture team who help in harvesting, pruning and caring for the vines on extreme slopes. Winemakers: Ramon and Valentí Llagostera
TERROIR Mas Doix has six vineyards throughout Poboleda. Each has different exposures and soil composition, depending on its proximity to the Siurana river. At 1,125 feet (340 m) above sea level, it is one of the coldest microclimates in Priorat. Located in the northeastern part of Priorat, Poboleda has lower average temperatures and a higher average rainfall than the rest of the municipalities. Of note are the sharp diurnal temperature shifts. During the summer months, temperatures can drop to 54º F (12ºC), while they can also climb to highs of 104º F (40º F). There are few vineyards planted on soils as ancient as those of the Priorat. Two different types dominate: licorella on the steep slopes formed by the disintegration of slate, and alluvial deposits in flatter areas. The decomposed slate strata have siliceous materials and limestone cements, not calcareous. The soils are slightly acid, with a neutral pH.
FACT: After the arrival of phylloxera in the 19th century, entire vineyards had to be replanted. Mas Doix’s “1902” bottling is sourced from 115-year-old vines from that early 20th century recovery effort.
VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING VINEYARD EXPRESSION Due to the great variability of growing sites, there is strong vineyard identity in the wines of Mas Doix. From old-vine Garnacha growing on hillsides to high exposure terraces of Cariñena, each plot shows remarkable specificity matched to the most appropriate varietal. For example, the Tossal d’en Bou vineyard has been declared a Gran Vinya Classificada (Grand Cru) with the new vineyard’s classification in DOQ Priorat. Located between 1,476 and 1,640 feet (450 and 500 m) of altitude with southern orientation, it provides extended ripening time for Cariñena. The results are an excellent balance between acidity and phenolic ripening. Otherwise, the best Priorat vineyards face north so that they are not roasted by the late-afternoon sun. With almost no summer rainfall and zero irrigation, yields are incredibly low—as little as four or five fist-sized bunches per vine. MINIMAL INTERVENTION VINIFICATION All fruit is harvested by hand with minimal manipulation in the cellar. Selection happens three times: first in the field, then as the fruit arrives at the winery, and finally after destemming. These methods allow Mas Doix to preserve the essence of the grape and growing site. Limited yields result in fresh and elegant wines with a subtle minerality.
Mas Doix farms 100-year-old Garnacha and Cariñena vines. Old vine fruit is prized for healthy root structure and spectacular concentration.
How is the terroir reflected in the wines of Mas Doix? The soil is mostly decomposed slate and shale, with very little organic material. This composition facilitates drainage and is porous enough to allow vine roots to reach deeper than anywhere else on earth. This slate soil shows in the wine as a pronounced minerality typical of many wines of the Priorat. Since the soils are slightly acidic, there is tension and verticality to the wines. Stress due to the lack of organic matter produces concentrated grapes with extremely high phenolic maturity. The winds also play a factor in the vineyards. Usually, the main winds blow from the northwest. This dry wind is known as El Sereno and originates from the interior of Spain.
A contrasting wind from the southeast is known as the Garbinadaor Mediterranean winds. This breeze considerably lessens the effects of the hottest summer days, maintaining freshness in the wines and the expression of terroir.
Singularities of the Winery The vineyards are located in the coolest part of the Priorat. Mas Doix’s new winery permits them to be self-sufficient, without the need for external energy and water supplies.
Why is Mas Doix a Grandes Pagos de España winery? Mas Doix happily belongs to this renowned association of wineries expressing their own terroir.
MAS DOIX PORTFOLIO: 1902, 1903, Murmuri, Salix, Les Crestes
Doix 2018
Salanques 2019
DOQ Priorat
DOQ Priorat
Varieties
Varieties
55% Carignan and 45% Garnacha vines
Vinification
65% 80-year-old vine Garnacha, 25% 80-year-old vine Carignan, 10% Syrah
Vinification
Fermentation in stainless steel; 3 weeks of maceration before grapes are pressed and barrel aged for 14 months
Fermentation in stainless steel and oak, two weeks maceration; 12-14 months aging in both new and used barrels
Good to Know
Good to Know
Fruit from 110-year-old Carignan vines and 80-year-old Garnacha vines
Grapes grown exclusively on steep licorella, with very low yields of 10.5 ounces of grapes per vine
LEARN MORE MAS DOIX Ctra. T-702, Km. 4 43376 Partida Les Foreses Poboleda Masdoix.com @masdoixwinery Contact: Valentí Llagostera valenti@masdoix.com
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