"Misery in a bottle"!
How many times do you think they’ve heard that joke? “Misery in a bottle, ha ha ha.” I’ve heard it more times than I can count.
So maybe the name wasn’t the best commercial choice, but what it stands for is a true tribute to the region’s history and to vineyards planted on steep slate slopes.
“Miserere” is of course a reference to the psalms of the same name and literally means “have mercy”. These psalms were sung every Sunday by the Carthusian monks, who had one of their oldest monasteries in the Priorat region at Scala Dei.
On the land where the Miserere vineyards now grow, the abbot’s house was built – named after the founder of the Carthusians, “Mas d’en Bruno”. Mas d’en Bruno is now a luxury hotel nestled among the vineyards of Miserere.
And to make it even more personal… last year, at my mother’s funeral, I had the beautiful Miserere mei, Deus (1770 KV 85 73 S) by Mozart played – for me still one of the most moving pieces of music ever, with a remarkable story behind it. Afterwards, we toasted with Miserere, generously offered by the estate as a tribute to her life.
So yes, we’ve just received the Miserere 2015.
For obvious reasons, it’s my personal favourite when choosing between Miserere and Clos de l’Obac… (well, I actually have both 😉)
What’s unique about this estate is that they use the exact same blend every single year.
27% Garnatxa, 27% Tempranillo, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carinyena, 9% Merlot
Moreover, all grape varieties are macerated and vinified together from the start. No blending afterwards. Miserere is truly a one-of-a-kind wine –
the only Priorat with Tempranillo in its blend.
The bottle never lies – each vintage is faithfully reflected: 2015 was a warm but balanced year, with enough spring and early summer rain to avoid drought stress – something increasingly important these days. Thanks to that, the vines received the right amount of water and sunlight, resulting in one of the most balanced vintages ever.
For us, this is a highly mineral year – just the way we like it!
Miserere is a tribute to history, to the magnificent music of Mozart, and to the most feminine and elegant wine.
This one belongs in your cellar! (right next to the Clos de l’Obac you picked up on Friday, of course 😉)