Franck Massard : Huellas 2014

The Imprint of an Elegant and Complex Catalan Wine

The Estate

A sommelier with numerous accolades, including the title of Best Sommelier in the UK in 1996, Franck Massard decided in 2004 to embark on a new adventure that took him to Spain. He was captivated by the mystical and breathtaking landscapes of the Priorat region. His project therefore began with the acquisition of a plot in the village of El Molar, south of Barcelona, in Catalonia. Franck Massard's vineyard was born! Authenticity and naturalness come fully to life in his Spanish wines bursting with freshness, with lively juices structured by well-defined tannins for an elegant palate. Franck Massard puts his winemaking talent to work with rare virtuosity, revealing the expression of each grape variety to better showcase the identity of Priorat, an emblematic appellation that produces great Spanish wines.

The Vineyard

Located 30 minutes from Tarragona and 18 kilometres from the sea, Franck Massard's estate enjoys an exceptional terroir at the heart of a natural amphitheatre lying between 300 and 550 metres above sea level. In this area, considered one of the coolest in Priorat, Franck Massard's vineyard benefits from a unique microclimate shaped by the meeting of the cold inland wind, the Cierzo, and the Garbí, which blows in from the Mediterranean coast and moderates temperatures. Thanks to the area's significant temperature variations, the grapes reach optimal ripeness, yielding flavourful berries with great aromatic freshness and lovely acidity.

The Wine

Like all the other wines by Franck Massard, Huellas tells a story. In 2004, Franck Massard acquired a small vineyard from a Barcelona taxi driver, located near the village of El Molar, in the heart of Priorat, the crown jewel of winegrowing in Catalonia. With a production of 500 bottles resulting from extensive manual work, the name Huellas, meaning “footprints” in Spanish, was the obvious choice.

Since then, the grapes have come from the cooler area of Poboleda, located 25 km north-west of El Molar. The vines are planted on the licorella soils that give Priorat its distinctive minerality. Harvested by hand, the berries that make up Huellas 2014 by Franck Massard produce a wine that elegantly captures the essence of the Priorat terroir.

Blend

Grenache
Carignan 

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for Huellas 2014 by Franck Massard

Tasting

Nose
The complex nose reveals refreshing fruity and spicy aromas.

Palate
This wine opens up on the palate in a succession of flavours and sensations, unfolding into a long, fresh finish with notes of spice. Round and silky, it gains in depth and precision over the years. A magnificent and perfectly accomplished wine from Priorat.