Cellar Cal Pla Mas d'En Compte Black Slate

Cellar Cal Pla Mas d'En Compte Black Slate is a full-bodied Priorat DOCa red wine bottled at 15.0% ABV in 750ml format. Sourced from some of Porrera's most prized vineyard sites — including the famed Mas d'En Caçador, widely regarded as the Grand Cru of the village — this blend has earned 92 points from Wine Advocate.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15.0%  |  Origin: Porrera, Priorat DOCa, Catalonia, Spain  |  Garnatxa-Carinyena-Cabernet Sauvignon Blend  |  Producer: Celler Cal Pla (Mas d'en Compte)

Production & Heritage

Celler Cal Pla, also known as Mas d'en Compte, farms organically across top-classified parcels in the village of Porrera, where vines root deep into the region's signature licorella — fractured layers of brown and black slate interlaced with quartzite. The blend of Garnatxa (50%), Carinyena (40%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%) is hand harvested and partially destemmed before undergoing native yeast fermentation in tank and concrete vessels over a 30-day maceration. Aging takes place for 12 months in seasoned 225-liter and 300-liter French and Hungarian oak barrels ranging from three to seven years old, allowing the terroir to speak without heavy oak imprint.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark cherry confit and blue fruit lead, followed by graphite, fountain pen ink, and a distinct smoky, ashy quality. Wild thyme and warm earth emerge alongside subtle notes of violets, rose petals, and a savory hint of cured meat.

Taste: The entry is silky with concentrated black cherry and kirsch, quickly expanding across the mid-palate with layers of tar, licorice, and creosote. Tomato paste richness and gentle cinnamon spice build toward a full, muscular peak that carries the weight of the slate soils beneath.

Finish: Long and mineral-driven, with lingering smoke, blackberry, and a dusty, parched-earth quality. A marine-like salinity persists through the close, pulling you back for the next sip.

How to Drink Black Slate

This is a wine built for considered drinking — serve it at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in a large-bowled glass, and allow 30 to 60 minutes of decanting to let its layers fully open. Black Slate also works in a Kalimotxo riff for an unconventional yet surprisingly compelling pairing with cola and citrus over ice. It stands up beautifully in a red wine sangria anchored by dark stone fruits, where its smoky intensity adds backbone. For a winter serve, try it in a spiced mulled wine with cinnamon, star anise, and orange peel — the existing spice notes integrate seamlessly.

Best For

• Exploring Priorat terroir beyond entry-level offerings
• Pairing with slow-cooked lamb or grilled red meats on a weekend dinner
• Gifting a serious wine enthusiast interested in Spanish fine wine
• Building a cellar with age-worthy Mediterranean reds

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Black Slate taste like? Black Slate delivers concentrated dark cherry, kirsch, and blue fruit layered with smoky graphite, tar, licorice, and a savory mineral backbone drawn from Priorat's licorella soils. Subtle cinnamon and earth notes add complexity beneath the ripe fruit.

How does Black Slate compare to Celler Cal Pla's Gratallops? Both wines come from the same producer, but Black Slate is sourced from Porrera while Gratallops comes from its namesake village; the Porrera bottling tends to be lighter in frame with brighter fruit flavors relative to Gratallops. The two wines showcase how dramatically terroir shifts across Priorat's sub-zones.

Is Black Slate good for drinking neat? Absolutely — this is a serious, contemplative red best enjoyed on its own or alongside food, ideally after 30–60 minutes in a decanter to allow the complex aromatics to fully emerge.

Where is Black Slate made? Black Slate is produced by Celler Cal Pla (Mas d'en Compte) in the village of Porrera within the Priorat DOCa, a prestigious denomination in Catalonia, northeastern Spain. The vineyards sit on steep, terraced hillsides of broken slate and quartzite.

What foods pair well with Black Slate? Slow-braised lamb shoulder benefits from the wine's smoky depth and mineral grip. Grilled bone-in ribeye matches its full body and dark fruit intensity. Roasted eggplant with romesco sauce mirrors its Catalan roots and earthy character. Aged Manchego or Idiazábal cheese complements the savory, tarry finish. Venison stew with dried herbs aligns with the wine's wild thyme and garrigue notes.

What sizes does Black Slate come in? Black Slate is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Black Slate worth the price? Black Slate positions as a mid-range Priorat DOCa offering with vineyard sourcing — including fruit from the acclaimed Mas d'En Caçador parcel — that rivals more expensive bottlings from the region, making it a strong value within the appellation's hierarchy.

Why Black Slate?

What separates this wine from the broader Priorat field is its access to Porrera's top vineyard sites, particularly Mas d'En Caçador, widely considered the Grand Cru of the village. The organic farming, native yeast fermentation, and restrained use of seasoned oak preserve a transparency to place that many modern Priorat wines sacrifice for extraction. With 92 points from Wine Advocate and consistent critical recognition across multiple vintages, Black Slate demonstrates vintage-to-vintage reliability at a price point well below the region's cult bottlings. For anyone looking to understand what licorella-driven Garnatxa and Carinyena can achieve, this is one of the more direct and honest expressions available.