The peppery and fresh 2014 Ceps Nous is a blend of 70% Garnacha, 21% Merlot and 9% Syrah from young vines produced in a fresh and fruit-driven style. It fermented in stainless steel and matured in used French oak barrels for some four to six months. It's 15.4% alcohol but quite juicy and balanced, and the alcohol is not noticeable, although it's clearly not a shy wine. Very good in its style. There are 25,000 bottles produced, of which half were bottled in May 2016.

The 2011 Pasanau Ceps Nous (new vines) is a blend of 65% Garnacha, 15% Merlot, 10% Cari?ena and 10% Syrah, a different mix from the last vintage I tasted. It fermented in stainless steel and matured in barrel for 4-6 moths. It's very dark and ripe, reminiscent of a young Port but at the same time showing an herbal character that feels a bit disjointed and quite tannic. 25,000 bottles produced.

I tasted three of their wines, starting with the 2011 Ceps Nous, which is a blend of Garnacha and Syrah from young vines that reveals a heady, ripe perfumed nose of malted cereals, violets, ripe damsons and blueberries verging on excess ripeness, but without crossing the line, intermixed with earthy, mineral aromas of peat and tar. Somehow the aromas make me think of an Islay Single Malt, with its smoky, peaty, pungent aromas. The palate shows a round texture, with juicy fruit and quite powerful flavors amplified by the effect of the alcohol. I think this wine reflects very well the vintage. Drink now-2017. Celler Pasanau surprised people with a powerful Cabernet from chalky soils, something unusual in Priorat, at the end of the 1990s. It’s a family winery in La Morera de Montsant, where they originate, that crafts some 40,000 bottles of reliable Priorat per year. Importer: Classical Wines, Ltd, Seattle, WA; tel. (206)297-6713; www.classicalwines.com

The 2010 Ceps Nous is a blend of 45% Garnacha, 30% Merlot, 5% Syrah and 20% Carinena. It has a very elegant nose of raspberry, wild strawberry and fennel. The palate is very well-balanced with a succulent core of spicy red fruit. The Carinena is very expressive, with wonderful balance and composure towards its smooth but structured finish. This represents outstanding value Priorat and has the substance to age well. Drink 2013-2025. The vines of Celler Pasanau stand at 700-metres altitude along the rocky wall of the Sierra de Montsant. Both the Ceps Nous and El Vell Coster represent outstanding quality irrespective of their price, although the three-hectare Finca La Planeta succumbs towards over-ripeness, and a more mature example was acceptable, rather than totally convincing. Importer: Classical Wines From Spain, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 297-6713; and www.indigowine.com in the UK.

Celler Pasanau’s current offerings begin with the 2008 Ceps Nous made up of 60% Garnacha blended with the other 4 permissible grapes of the Priorat DO. It was aged for 6 months in seasoned French oak. Forward, spicy, round, and flavorful, it is a solid choice for drinking over the next 5-7 years and an excellent introduction to Priorat wines at a modest price. Importer: Classical Wines From Spain, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 297-6713