Scala Dei Cellers Prior Crianza

Scala Dei Cellers Prior Crianza is a Garnatxa-dominant Priorat DOCa red wine bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2018 vintage earned 93 points from Wine & Spirits and 92 points from Robert Parker, underscoring its consistent critical recognition across multiple vintages. Winemaker Ricard Rofes describes this bottling as a "key in the door of Priorat" — an expression designed to introduce the denomination's diverse vineyard zones in a single, accessible glass.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Priorat DOCa, Catalonia, Spain  |  Crianza  |  Producer: Cellers de Scala Dei

Production & Heritage

Cellers de Scala Dei traces its winemaking lineage to one of the most historically significant sites in Priorat — the region's name itself derives from the Carthusian priory (priorat) of Scala Dei, founded in the 12th century. The Prior Crianza blends Garnatxa Tinta (60%) with Cariñena (20%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), and Syrah (10%), fermented with native yeasts to preserve vineyard typicity. Aging takes place over twelve months in a combination of French oak barrels and larger foudres — the latter contributing structure without overwhelming the fruit — before final refinement in bottle. The vines grow on Priorat's distinctive licorella soils, a blend of weathered slate and quartz that imparts a pronounced mineral signature.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with intense red and black fruit — wild strawberry, blackberry, black cherry — layered with violet floral nuances. Beneath the fruit sits a supple spiciness, dried Mediterranean herbs, and subtle toasty notes from the oak aging.

Taste: Medium- to full-bodied on entry, the palate unfolds with blackberry, Mission fig, and dried thyme anchored by dark chocolate undertones. Mid-palate, an earthy, almost leathery quality emerges alongside orange zest and black pepper. Ripe, elegant tannins carry the wine with a silky mouthfeel, while mineral acidity — drawn directly from the licorella bedrock — provides a cool, structured backbone.

Finish: Long and balsamic, with lingering slate minerality and a dusting of spice. The tannin structure holds firm without turning grippy, leaving a clean, savory impression that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Prior Crianza

This wine shows best at cellar temperature (60–65°F) with 30 minutes of decanting to let the foudre-aged layers open fully. It drinks beautifully on its own but was built for the table. Pair it with grilled lamb chops seasoned with rosemary, where the wine's herbal depth mirrors the aromatics. Slow-braised oxtail benefits from the Prior's tannin structure and dark fruit weight. A traditional Catalan escalivada — roasted eggplant, peppers, and onions drizzled with olive oil — highlights the wine's earthy, Mediterranean character.

Best For

• Introducing a wine-curious friend to the Priorat appellation
• Building a Spanish wine collection beyond Rioja and Ribera del Duero
• Pairing with hearty autumn and winter dinner menus
• Gifting a red wine enthusiast seeking Old World mineral-driven reds

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Prior Crianza taste like? Prior Crianza delivers ripe blackberry, Mission fig, and dried thyme flavors layered over dark chocolate and black pepper, with a pronounced slate minerality running through the palate. The mouthfeel is silky with elegant tannins and a long, balsamic finish.

How does Prior Crianza compare to Camins del Priorat? Both wines serve as entry points into Priorat, but Camins del Priorat — from Álvaro Palacios — tends toward slightly more body and fruit concentration at a competitive price. Prior Crianza leans into mineral finesse and herbal complexity, with its foudre aging contributing a more polished, less overtly oaky profile.

Is Prior Crianza good for sipping on its own? Yes — its balance of ripe fruit, moderate tannin, and mineral acidity makes it rewarding neat, especially with 30 minutes of decanting to let the aromatics fully develop.

Where is Prior Crianza made? Prior Crianza is produced by Cellers de Scala Dei in the Priorat DOCa of Catalonia, northeastern Spain. The vineyards sit on licorella soils — weathered slate and quartz — that are central to Priorat's identity as one of only two DOCa-classified wine regions in Spain.

What foods pair well with Prior Crianza? Grilled lamb with rosemary complements the wine's herbal depth. Slow-braised oxtail or short ribs match its tannic structure. Aged Manchego or Idiazábal cheese echoes its earthy character. Roasted root vegetables with olive oil highlight the balsamic finish. Dark chocolate desserts with a pinch of sea salt mirror the cocoa undertones on the palate.

What sizes does Prior Crianza come in? Scala Dei Cellers Prior Crianza is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Prior Crianza worth the price? Prior Crianza positions as an accessible, mid-range entry into the Priorat DOCa — a region where top bottlings command significantly higher prices. Its consistent 91–93 point critical scores across multiple vintages represent strong value for a wine from one of Spain's most prestigious appellations.

Why Prior Crianza?

What separates this wine from dozens of Priorat reds at similar price points is the combination of native-yeast fermentation and dual-vessel aging in both standard French oak barrels and larger foudres. The foudres slow the oak influence, preserving the Garnatxa's fruit purity and the licorella's mineral stamp rather than burying them under toast and vanilla. Multiple gold medals — including Mundus Vini Gold for the 2021 vintage and Concurso Bacchus Gold for the 2019 — confirm its quality is not vintage-dependent. For anyone seeking a genuine expression of Priorat's terroir without the premium of the region's single-vineyard bottlings, Prior Crianza remains one of the most reliable and complete wines in the category.