CLOS FIGEURES 2018 PRIORAT

Being close to the ancient Roman capital of the Iberian Peninsula, Tarraco (Tarragona), it's no surprise that vineyards have existed in the Priorat region for more than 2000 years; in fact, it's believed that many of the old terraces were initially built by the Romans. Here on steep slopes of schist-like soil called "llicorella," only hearty plants like almond and olive trees thrive along with grapevines. Here, Garnacha and Carignan, backed by Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, create deep, full-bodied wines that - in old vineyards like Clos Figueras - somehow maintain a finessed and elegant edge. Like many vineyards here, it was purchased by foreigners who fell in love with the area and its wines; in this case by Charlotte and Christopher Cannan in 1997. It wasn't sheer luck, though, as they chose it on the recommendation of Réné Barbier, owner of the famous Clos Mogador estate and founder of the "new wave" movement in Priorat during the late 1980s!

WINE ADVOCATE 95 POINTS - "The 2018 Clos Figueres follows the path of cleanliness and precision of the 2017 in a better vintage. It's Garnacha and Cariñena from old vines with Cabernet sauvignon, Syrah and Monastrell, which seems to be a Mediterranean grape that is coming out of the closet in Priorat. It fermented and matured in new and second use 300- and 500-liter French oak barrels for 14 to 16 months. It's powerful and ripe at 15% alcohol, but with a low pH and good freshness. It's nuanced and complex and has elegance and some floral notes, with a more developed nose compared to the younger 2019 and 2020 tasted next to it. This has to be one of the finest vintages of Clos Figueres ever."