Clos Pachem makes low extraction Priorat reds from Gratallops, including equal Grenache and Carignan in Camí de la Mina.
The producer
Clos Pachem began in Priorat in 2015 under Michel Grupper, who named the project after his children Paul, Charles and Emma. The wines include Priorat DOQ reds and a Terra Alta DO white. Planassos in Gratallops comprises five hectares of vineyard with olive and almond trees on slate soil, farmed through biodynamic and organic practices. Camí de la Mina joins equal parts red Grenache and Carignan, while Pachem Carinyena is a varietal Carignan matured in concrete.
Known for
Low extraction Priorat reds
Notable facts
Michel Grupper began Clos Pachem in Priorat in 2015.
Clos Pachem takes its name from Paul, Charles and Emma.
Planassos comprises five hectares of vineyard with olive and almond trees on slate soil.
Camí de la Mina is composed of equal parts red Grenache and Carignan.
Guía Peñín awarded Pachem Carinyena 2021 a score of 93 points in its 2024 tasting.
The story
A Family Name In Priorat
In 2015, Michel Grupper began Clos Pachem in Priorat after more than 20 years of participating in wine associations. He had trained as a surgeon and helped found the urban cellar Les Vignerons Parisiens. For the Priorat project, he chose the name Pachem from the names of his children, Paul, Charles and Emma. The name was an acronym built from those three first names. Sustainable farming formed part of the project's stated philosophy from the outset.
From the atlas
Clos Pachem Priorat DOQ Winery Gratallops
Clos Pachem in Gratallops works with Planassos, biodynamic and organic practices, and low extraction in its Priorat reds.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Appellations
Priorat DOQ and Terra Alta DO
Home village
Gratallops
Red grapes
Grenache and Carignan
Named wines
Camí de la Mina and Pachem Carinyena
Defining practices
Biodynamic and organic practices, low extraction vinification
The Producer
Michel Grupper began the Clos Pachem project in Priorat in 2015. He trained as a surgeon, leads a medical foundation helping children in developing countries, participated in wine associations for more than 20 years, and helped found the urban cellar Les Vignerons Parisiens. Clos Pachem takes its name from his children, Paul, Charles and Emma.
Josep Riba Comaposada is head of enology and viticulture. Sustainable farming formed part of the project's philosophy from the outset. Its reds are Priorat DOQ wines, while its white is a Terra Alta DO wine.
Place
Gratallops holds the winery in its historic center, where the building uses natural, simple and durable materials. The red and white wines carry different appellation names, with Priorat DOQ for the reds and Terra Alta DO for the white.
The Planassos plot lies within the municipality of Gratallops. Different orientations, altitudes and soil depths create microclimate variation, and those changes affect how Grenache and Carignan develop across the plot.
Wines
The range includes Priorat reds and a Terra Alta white. Camí de la Mina 2019 is an equal blend of red Grenache and Carignan from 40 year old vines in Gratallops llicorella and Torroja sandstone. Pachem Carinyena 2021 is a varietal Carignan from selected Priorat plots. Pachem 2020 is a Priorat red, while Licos 2021 is a Terra Alta white.
Clos Pachem uses low extraction vinification and different vessel materials. Camí de la Mina ferments by variety and plot in individual 1000 litre tanks, with spontaneous fermentation from indigenous grape yeasts and a short, gently stirred maceration. It matures for 12 months, half in French oak barrels and half in 1000 litre ceramic stoneware vats. Pachem Carinyena follows malolactic fermentation and matures for 12 months in concrete tanks.
Pachem Carinyena 2021 is cherry coloured with a purple rim. Its aromas combine ripe and black fruit with wild herbs, black pepper and mineral notes. The palate is fruity, balanced and taut, with round tannins and considerable length.
Final Word
Planassos comprises five hectares of vineyard in Gratallops, with olive and almond trees growing on slate soil under biodynamic and organic practices.