I subscribe to lots of wine websites, and for Spanish wines especially those in Catalonia i really like Miquel Hudin's writing and he seems to have a simila palate to me, if he raves about a wine then 95% so do i !! I have lawys liked this wine and seeing this review on his website reminded me about it! it's quite a long read but interesting !
"Having stabilized a great many things after taking over as winery director in 2007, Ricard Rofes took on the challenge in the early twenty teens to reinvigorate the rosé concept for Scala Dei. Unlike their flagship Cartoixa wine which looked to the past when being revitalized, he did it completely anew, aiming for a strictly Provence style. Unsurprisingly, the 2014 was a smashing success and I think we drank the entire production locally in Priorat when it was released during the sordidly hot summer of 2015. It should come as little surprise given that it was insanely crisp and delicious due to the vintage and the variety.
Initially all the grapes were sourced from a vineyard high up on the Montsant bluff at northern end of Priorat called, Mas de Forçans and it’s always been labelled as 100% Garnatxa. As the production has increased, one can only assume that the sourcing is more mixed these days, especially as there is no Vi de Vila nor Vi de Paratge on the label whereas their other wines make great use of these regional classification levels.
While always a light pink rosé, the style has varied a bit over the years. If I recall, 2015 or another hot vintage saw a shift to more residual sugar which made the wine rather dumb and simplistic. The wondrous texture and juicy, mouthwatering expression of the Garnatxa was lost. Thankfully, it went back to being almost or completely dry and it’s been the better for it.
The vintages from 2020 through 2024 have all been good, but not astounding like that first 2014. Largely this is due to the heat as extreme temperatures and a lack of water do not a fine rosé make. I feel like there’s also been restructuring as while Cava giant Codorníu is but one owner of the winery, the wines still fit in with their “Vins de Llegat” group and perhaps Rofes (who heads this group now) was working to reposition it.
I mention this as I’ve been working to finish up the tastings for the forthcoming DOQ Priorat report and one day I went through the Scala Dei wines. Once the Pla del Àngels 2025 hit the glass, it was like 2014 all over again. Yeah that’s right baby, it’s truly back in all its glory! Admittedly, it’s a good deal spendier as back in 2017 (another tremendous vintage) it was 19€ a bottle and now, it’s 28€. On the plus side, when it comes to a rosé, it definitely comes to the game ready to play, even if it not the absolute steal that it once was.
Still, if you’re of a mind to rosé up your day, then Pla dels Àngels will be all kinds of wonderful." Miquel Hudin Hudin.com
"Crisp blood orange and dried yellow cherry along with fresh garrigue and lovely Mediterranean spice. Absolutely delicious on the palate with wonderful red fruits lingering into the finish forever." 95pts Miquel Hudin
