The softly spoken Ricardo Pasanau is an intelligent and charming host and his personality is reflected in the unique and elegant style of his Priorat wines. The vineyards at over 700 metres are some of the highest in the DOC skirting the sheer rock wall of the Sierra de Montsant which forms Priorat's viticultural boundary. The 'Grand Cru' Finca La Planeta is a three-hectare clearing hewn from the rocky base of the cliffs in the early 1980s, with gravelly topsoils covering the regional slate (llicorella). The soil and altitude prompted Ricardo to plant Cabernet Sauvignon, vines now well over 20 years old. Ceps Nous is arguably the best value Priorat in the marketplace. El Vell Coster is a low production single vineyard wine from very old hillside Carignan.

Visit their website: www.cellerpasanau.com