Priorat, like so many classic regions in Spain and beyond, is having a renaissance. Though once known for rich, extracted wines with big points to match, many new winemakers on the scene are harvesting earlier and fermenting the wines more gently, avoiding any harsh over-extraction of tannins.

Old Favorites and New Discoveries from Spain and Portugal

K&L Spain/Portugal Buyer Kirk Walker checks in on some of our longtime favorite wine producers and introduces us to a new-to-our-shelves importer who’s shaking things up in the European import world.

New Direct Import: Catalonia’s Cal Bessó

Cal Bessó is the relatively new Montsant project from the Castellví Figuerola family, who own and run Celler de l’Encastell in Priorat, and local grape grower, Jaume Valles. It is based around the village of Els Guiamets, which is located fewer than 10 miles south of the heart of Priorat.

K&L Wine Merchants

www.klwines.com