Lectores Vini "Pomagrana" Blanca, Catalonia, Spain 2023

FROM POLANER SELECTIONS:

THE WINE: 85% Xarello and 15% Xarello Vermell (a red-skinned version of Xarello) from Finca Roca Crespa, a vineyard in the southern foothills of the Massif del Garraf in Cubelles, planted on clay-calcareous soils at 60 meters altitude just 4km from the Mediterranean Sea. Organically-farmed grapes from very old vines (80-90 years old) as well as some younger ones (20 years old) were harvested on August 30th, de-stemmed, pressed directly, then fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel tank. The wine aged for 6 months on the fine lees in stainless steel, with some very gentle movement of the lies (3 times) to avoid reduction. Bottled with a light filtration. 4,830 bottles produced. 70 mg/L SO2 Total.

THE PRODUCER: Lectores was founded in 2016 by Fredi Torres, a professional house music DJ turned winemaker, who was born in Galicia, raised in Switzerland, and reared professionally in the Priorat. While traveling the world for music, he fell in love with wine, going on to enroll in enology and viticulture school. After making the leap into winemaking in Switzerland, he returned to Spain to hone his vision and craft at the legendary Priorat winery Clos Mogador. In 2004 he launched his own Priorat project, Sao del Coster, where he worked naturally in the winery and biodynamically in the vineyards long before it was common practice. He later branched out to several other regions in Spain, France, and Switzerland as a consultant, as well as co-founding Silice Viticultores in 2013 and Lectores Vini in 2016. Testing his skills and instincts in so many different regions and across many varieties and conditions, Fredi has become one of the most exciting and versatile winemakers of his generation.

In 2023, his friend Ollivier Jacq joined the adventure. Together, they share a passion for unique grape varieties and diverse regions of Catalunya. Lectores Vini is now focused on four Catalan regions: Montsant, Priorat, Conca de Barberà, and Penedès. The lineup consists of silky and vibrant wines from organically farmed grapes, all vinified naturally, full of personality, and priced to be accessible. As Fredi says, “We are like Indiana Jones, looking for old vines, nice plots, and good grapes!”