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$15.98
Its colour is salmon pink, intense, clear and bright. In the nose it has an intense, outstanding aroma of red fruit (strawberries, raspberries) over a flowery depth (camonile, linden blossom). Read More...
In the mouth it is fresh, fatty, full and pleasant with a final fruity taste.
$21.95
Celler de l’Encastell is a small family-run vineyard and winery in the town of Porrera, DOC Priorat, where “Roquers de Porrera” and “Marge” are elaborated. Grapes are sourced from Read More...
two estates, “Mas d’en Caçador” and “Mas d’en Ferran,” owned and looked after by several generations who were previously selling to other local wineries. Carme Figuerola and Raimon Castellví built the winery and got started in 1999, moved by their passion for wine and the exceptional quality of the soils where their vineyard grows – locally called “llicorella.”
TASTING NOTES: Celler de L’Encastell’s Marge is made up of 60% Garnacha with the balance Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 8 months in French and American oak. Dense purple in color, it delivers an enticing nose of licorice, liquid minerality, lavender, incense and black cherry. Round, intense, and layered on the palate.
TASTING NOTES: Celler de L’Encastell’s Marge is made up of 60% Garnacha with the balance Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 8 months in French and American oak. Dense purple in color, it delivers an enticing nose of licorice, liquid minerality, lavender, incense and black cherry. Round, intense, and layered on the palate.
$189.95
Clos Erasmus is a tiny production Priorat that has earned some of the most top acclaim in Spanish Wine. Here's what Josh Raynolds writes about it in International Wine Cellar, "An Read More...
explosively perfumed, fruit-dominated bouquet displays raspberry liqueur, cherry-cola and candied plum, with notes of violet and incense adding complexity. Deeply pitched but energetic in the mouth, offering sappy red and dark berry flavors and a smooth, seamless texture. Floral and spice notes linger on a very long, subtly smoky finish. This seductive wine is approachable now, with some decanting, but I'd give it at least another seven years of bottle age." 95 points. VERY lIMITED
$59.95
WINE ADVOCATE 94 - 97 -
"The 2009 Laurel, tasted from a barrel sample, is a more masculine, brooding effort with aromas of minerals and black Read More...
fruits that play it close to the vest. On the palate it has superb volume, great focus, impeccable balance, and a lengthy finish. In short, all the right stuff is present requiring only a bit of patience by those fortunate enough to find a few bottles."
$79.99
WINE ADVOCATE 95-98 POINTS -
Inky dark, reddish black in color, this wine looks rich; it
almost glowed, an Aegean sheen enveloping the surface
area. Read More...
The nose is a tangible blend of rich, earthy spice,
dark red and black berries and plums and subtle briary/
bramble notes. The palate combines both sweet and
high-toned fruits (from black raspberries to pomegranate,
cranberry to black currant/cassis) with earthy tangents
and herbal flecks: slatey minerality, black licorice, incense
and black tea. Weaving within and throughout the palate
is a wondrous layer of tannins, at once highlighting the
brightness, balancing the sweet, blending the two. If
this is already stunning in its youth (and it is), time and
patience will lead only to Elysian Fields, where wines
like this one are served. The last touches of sweet spice
and vanilla bean, heartened by deep, dark berry flavors,
slowly, joyfully echoed in the moderately long finish.
$37.99
Pretty (serious) in Priorat? Clearly. An expressive, gorgeous, lush wine, with or without food, this one has it going on. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 96 points? Good call, Jay. The Read More...
nose starts with a blend of licorai (ahh... love that slatey smell!), cedar and earthy spice paralleled by sweet black cherry/blackberry fruits and midnight florals, minerality and a touch of salted meat. It's integrated in a 'wall of sound' way, with flavors and scents 'echoing' around the palate, reverberating off each component in a harmonious, tasty dance. The palate is a definite "wow" for the imbiber. Sweet forward fruit, cherry/black cherry, along with the licorai/fennel tastes are carried on a luxurious wave of tannins riding a crest of unctuous richness. The tannic structure is solid and well-integrated with the big flavors, keeping the wine balanced and lithe in its ebullience. The slatey minerality comes in again at the end as another wave of ripe fruit, dark berries and raspberries, lead to a 3-minute finish. This is a treat and should be fun to taste as it evolves over the next decade.
WINE ADVOCATE 96 POINTS - "The 2008 Ferrer/Bobet is a vibrant offering with an expressive nose of cedar, spicy black fruits, exotic spices, and lavender. Only time will tell whether the 2009 is better than this beauty.
Ferrer/Bobet is the future showplace of Priorat. No expense has been spared in the construction of a magnificent winery and in the planting of the vineyards. Sergi Ferrer-Salat is a young pharmaceutical tycoon with apparently a much greater interest in fine wine than drugs, while his partner Raul Bobet was the long-time winemaker at Torres. Ferrer-Salat makes it clear that his goal is to make the greatest wine possible without regard to whether he makes money. I’m not sure if Bobet would totally agree, but it appears that he is up for the challenge..."
WINE ADVOCATE 96 POINTS - "The 2008 Ferrer/Bobet is a vibrant offering with an expressive nose of cedar, spicy black fruits, exotic spices, and lavender. Only time will tell whether the 2009 is better than this beauty.
Ferrer/Bobet is the future showplace of Priorat. No expense has been spared in the construction of a magnificent winery and in the planting of the vineyards. Sergi Ferrer-Salat is a young pharmaceutical tycoon with apparently a much greater interest in fine wine than drugs, while his partner Raul Bobet was the long-time winemaker at Torres. Ferrer-Salat makes it clear that his goal is to make the greatest wine possible without regard to whether he makes money. I’m not sure if Bobet would totally agree, but it appears that he is up for the challenge..."
$37.98
The Font de la Figuera, from young vines, has an excellent deep ruby colour with an open sweet bouquet of black cherries and the classic Priorat mineral tones. Soft and approachable Read More...
on the palate this wine can be enjoyed young but will continue to gain in stature for 5 to 8 years after bottling.
$14.98
ROBERT PARKER 93 POINTS -
"A spectacular offering from Priorato that sells for a song (most wines from this region are in the $50-150 or higher range), Read More...
the 2011 La Cartuja is a 4,000 case blend of 70% Garnacha and 30% Carinena (3,000 cases are being exported to the USA). It was aged for eight months in 50% new and 50% used French oak. The wine possesses phenomenal minerality along with notes of crushed rocks/wet steel, graphite, blueberries and raspberries, medium to full-bodied flavors, and sensational purity, texture and length. It should drink nicely for a decade or more."
$59.98
WINE ADVOCATE 92 POINTS -
Around 2,000 cases have been produced since the maiden 1989, but there are also a number of what you might call “side projects” Read More...
that I have included in this report. For example, “Manyetes” was a project begun in 1999 that seeks out old vines. The 2009 Manyetes is a blend of 90% Carinena and 10% Garnacha from hot, south-facing slopes and comes under the “Vi de Villa” denomination mentioned in the introduction. It has a lifted bouquet with dark cherries, sloes, lavender and a touch of white pepper with fine delineation, all wrapped in a touch of warm alcohol. The palate is full-bodied with smooth, rounded tannins, layers of precise, peppery red fruit cut through with fine acidity. It has a firm tannic backbone and is quite masculine and tertiary, with an edgy, mineral-rich finish. This is very expressive of the grape variety, a Carinena full of personality and charm, though I would not touch a bottle for 5-6 years.
$99.95
After obtaining degrees in both oeneology and biology, Esther Nin began her career supervising wine projects across Spain. She bought a tiny parcel (less than 3 acres) of old vines Read More...
on the steepest hillside slopes above the village of Porrera. The 2004 was her debut vintage, showcasing her remarkable skill and meticulous care for her vines. The 2009 is 60% Grenache and 40% Carignan from vines over 80 years old from a single vineyard "Mas d'En Cacador" in Porrera. Farming practices Organic & Biodynamic. Aged 18 months in French Oak, 65% new.
$49.98
After obtaining degrees in both oeneology and biology, Esther Nin began her career supervising wine projects across Spain. She bought a tiny parcel (less than 3 acres) of old vines Read More...
on the steepest hillside slopes above the village of Porrera. The 2004 was her debut vintage, showcasing her remarkable skill and meticulous care for her vines. Esther shares her time as Clos Erasmus winegrower icon Daphne Glorian's right hand, as well as several additional consulting projects.
$21.95
Nita by Meritxell Palleja is a rare gem from Priorat, a region typically known for its concentrated barrel-aged reds, because it is one of the only unoaked “vinos jovens” or young wines, Read More...
made in this famous appellation. Inspired by biodynamic production, Palleja aligns her vineyard management with lunar and seasonal cycles. She also farms organically to produce this beautiful wine. This wine is a blend of old vine Carinena, Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. It has delicate aromas of mint, flint, violet, plum and chocolate, making it a well-balanced drink. On the palate it is medium to full bodied with notes of black licorice and spices. Sounds like a must try to me!
WINE ADVOCATE 92 POINTS - "The 2009 Nita is a rare, value-priced Priorat that over-delivers in a big way. This unoaked cuvee, made by Meritxell Palleja from purchased fruit, is a blend of 45% Garnacha, 35% Carinena, with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. It displays a fragrant bouquet of liquid minerality, lavender, incense, black cherry, and black raspberry. This leads to a concentrated, forward, savory offering with layers of ripe fruit, succulent flavors, good acidity, and excellent freshness. Although it has the stuffing to evolve for several years, it can be approached now. It is a great introduction to the DO of Priorat."
WINE ADVOCATE 92 POINTS - "The 2009 Nita is a rare, value-priced Priorat that over-delivers in a big way. This unoaked cuvee, made by Meritxell Palleja from purchased fruit, is a blend of 45% Garnacha, 35% Carinena, with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. It displays a fragrant bouquet of liquid minerality, lavender, incense, black cherry, and black raspberry. This leads to a concentrated, forward, savory offering with layers of ripe fruit, succulent flavors, good acidity, and excellent freshness. Although it has the stuffing to evolve for several years, it can be approached now. It is a great introduction to the DO of Priorat."
$675.00
WINE ADVOCATE 97-100 POINTS -
The 2009 L’Ermita is a candidate for perfection once it is bottled. It is complete in every way marrying power, elegance, Read More...
and longevity. It should see its 30th birthday in fine form. I also was able to taste the 2010 Finca Dofi and 2010 L’Ermita at this early stage. Palacios seems very pleased by his material and I see no reason to doubt him.
Alvaro Palacios established his namesake winery in 1989. The flagship L’Ermita made its debut in 1993. Finca Dofi and L’Ermita vineyards are farmed biodynamically. All of the wines are bottled without filtration. In 2008 Palacios was the last grower in Priorat to harvest, waiting out rains that diluted other growers’ fruit. It appears that 2009 was a slightly more successful vintage for Alvaro Palacios (and most Priorat producers) than was 2008. All of the 2009s were tasted from barrel samples at the Bodega in January 2011.
Alvaro Palacios established his namesake winery in 1989. The flagship L’Ermita made its debut in 1993. Finca Dofi and L’Ermita vineyards are farmed biodynamically. All of the wines are bottled without filtration. In 2008 Palacios was the last grower in Priorat to harvest, waiting out rains that diluted other growers’ fruit. It appears that 2009 was a slightly more successful vintage for Alvaro Palacios (and most Priorat producers) than was 2008. All of the 2009s were tasted from barrel samples at the Bodega in January 2011.
$17.98
Wine Advocate: The lascivious 2010 Camins del Priorat is a blend of 35% Garnacha, 35% Samso, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah cropped at 20 hectoliters per hectare. It has a very Read More...
pure bouquet of lifted blackberry and cassis fruit, the French oak well-integrated. The palate is full-bodied with a soft, sensual entry. There is a lot of puppy fat here, low in acidity with a spicy, dense, warm spirituous finish. Drink 2014-2019.
$59.99
WINE ADVOCATE 93 POINTS -
"The 2010 Finca Dofi is a blend of 80% Garnacha, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Syrah, sourced from 19- to 31-year-old Read More...
vines and matured in 80% new French oak and 20% one year old for 16 months. The aromatics are still defined by that carapace of new oak, although underneath lies some fine dark cherry and raspberry fruit interlaced by Chinese five-spice, lavender and wild heather. The palate is powerful and full-bodied with a very intense entry of pure dark berries intermingled with balsamic and Asian spices, a core of ripe black currant and a dense, grippy finish. It displays impressive length and persistency, though it will remain impenetrable for the first 5-6 years of its life. Drink 2017-2030"
$14.95
Read More...
100% Garnache
The wine is lively and full-bodied with a bright ruby color that hints of youth. Well ripened fruit and peppery spices give way to a lingering, persistent finish
The wine is lively and full-bodied with a bright ruby color that hints of youth. Well ripened fruit and peppery spices give way to a lingering, persistent finish
$24.98
In 1997, with his wife Charlotte, Christopher Cannan purchased Clos Figueras, an 18 hectares estate, just to the north of the village of Gratallops in the heart of the Priorat DOQ.
60% Grenache, 20% Carignan, 20% Read More...
60% Grenache, 20% Carignan, 20% Read More...
Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah
A wonderful purple shade, notable tears and boldly fragrant aromas of liquor, cocoa, coffee and charcoal embers. It comes as a surprise to encounter definite aromatic notes typical of white winemaking, a distinctive trait that endows Serras with fine balsamic acidity on the nose. This is a rounded, voluminous wine, juicy and intense, with just a whiff of carbonated liveliness; but if you want to enjoy it at its optimum, then wait a while and leave it to settle down. Displaying plenty of energy at present, it augurs extremely well for the future.
A wonderful purple shade, notable tears and boldly fragrant aromas of liquor, cocoa, coffee and charcoal embers. It comes as a surprise to encounter definite aromatic notes typical of white winemaking, a distinctive trait that endows Serras with fine balsamic acidity on the nose. This is a rounded, voluminous wine, juicy and intense, with just a whiff of carbonated liveliness; but if you want to enjoy it at its optimum, then wait a while and leave it to settle down. Displaying plenty of energy at present, it augurs extremely well for the future.
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