Familia Nin-Ortiz Nit de Nin Mas D'En Cacador 2013

Familia Nin-Ortiz Nit de Nin Mas d’En Caçador 2013 is one of the great, vineyard-driven reds of Catalonia, a wine that captures the wild intensity and depth of Priorat in a single bottle. Sourced from the historic Mas d’En Caçador vineyard, this is a seriously concentrated, age-worthy red crafted in tiny quantities from old, low-yielding vines. It’s a wine for collectors and enthusiasts who seek authenticity, finesse and the purest expression of Priorat’s famed llicorella slate.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2013 Nit de Nin Mas d’En Caçador shows a deep, opaque ruby to garnet core with a slight brick hue beginning to form at the rim, reflecting its evolution in bottle. The nose is intense and layered: ripe black cherry, wild blackberry and red plum are interwoven with dried Mediterranean herbs, crushed violets, licorice, warm slate, cocoa and a subtle smokiness. On the palate, this is full-bodied, structured and beautifully precise, with powerful yet refined tannins and a spine of fresh acidity that keeps the wine lively despite its richness. Flavors of black cherry compote, blackberry, raspberry liqueur and blood orange peel unfold into notes of graphite, dark chocolate, balsamic tones and a hint of savory spice. The finish is very long, mineral and persistent, with a distinct salty-slate character that is a hallmark of great Priorat. The 2013 vintage is drinking wonderfully now, but still has significant aging potential; properly cellared bottles should continue to develop complexity for another 8–10 years or more.

Production
Mas d’En Caçador is one of Priorat’s highest and most revered vineyards, a steep, terraced site rooted in classic llicorella (decomposed slate) soils that give the wine its unmistakable mineral backbone. The blend is based predominantly on old-vine Garnacha and Cariñena (Carinyena), many from vines over 60–80 years of age, farmed organically and biodynamically with low yields to maximize concentration and purity. Harvesting is done entirely by hand, with meticulous selection in the vineyard and again at the winery. Vinification typically involves native yeasts, long macerations to gently extract color and tannin, and aging in carefully chosen barrels (often large or used French oak) to respect the fruit and terroir rather than mask it, resulting in a wine of great depth, energy and transparency.

Food & Serving
Nit de Nin Mas d’En Caçador 2013 is a natural companion to richly flavored dishes such as slow-braised lamb shank, venison stews, Catalan botifarra with white beans, roasted suckling pig, or aged hard cheeses like Manchego viejo. It also works beautifully with grilled ribeye, mushroom ragù, or dishes featuring roasted root vegetables and herbs. Serve at around 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight its aromatic complexity and balance. Decanting for 1–2 hours before serving is recommended to allow the wine to fully open and soften, especially if enjoyed on the younger side of its drinking window.

Producer
Familia Nin-Ortiz is one of the most respected artisan producers in Priorat, founded by the husband-and-wife team of Ester Nin and Carles Ortiz, both champions of organic and biodynamic viticulture in Catalonia. Working primarily with old-vine Garnacha and Cariñena on steep, slate-rich slopes, they have become known for crafting wines of remarkable purity, elegance and terroir expression. Their single-vineyard bottlings, including Nit de Nin Mas d’En Caçador, are considered benchmarks for the region and frequently earn top critical acclaim. Through their thoughtful, low-intervention approach in both vineyard and cellar, Familia Nin-Ortiz has helped redefine what Priorat can be: not just powerful, but also precise, nuanced and profoundly age-worthy.