In the glass
What it pairs with
-
Roast leg of lamb with garlic
Structure and herbal notes complement slow-roasted lamb. -
Wild game with black truffle
Earthy mineral depth and concentration find a match in game and truffle. -
Hard aged cheese selection
Tannin and mineral acidity cut through the fat of aged cheeses.
How to serve Scala Dei Cartoixa
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Roast leg of lamb with garlic, Wild game with black truffle, Hard aged cheese selection. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Scala Dei Cartoixa is the Reserva expression from Cellers de Scala Dei, named for the Carthusian order (Cartoixa in Catalan) whose monastery sits adjacent to the estate. It represents the estate's commitment to expressing the historic terroir of Priorat.
- 1980 — First vintage of Scala Dei Cartoixa as the Reserva tier
Facts
- Producer
- Cellers de Scala Dei
- Grapes
- Garnacha Tinta, Cariñena, Cabernet Sauvignon
- Classification
- DOQ Priorat
- Oak
- 18 months in French oak barrels, mix of new and used
- ABV
- 15.0%
- Price
- €30-45 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-18 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1980
Frequently asked about Scala Dei Cartoixa
What does Scala Dei Cartoixa taste like?
Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, medium acidity with a long finish.
When should I drink Scala Dei Cartoixa?
Drink 5-18 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Scala Dei Cartoixa?
Roast leg of lamb with garlic is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Wild game with black truffle and Hard aged cheese selection. Structure and herbal notes complement slow-roasted lamb.
What grapes are in Scala Dei Cartoixa?
The blend is Garnacha Tinta, Cariñena, Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is classified as DOQ Priorat.