Alvaro in Palacios Finca Dofi Gratallops Priorat Tinto 2019

Tasting Notes

Planted in 1991 at around 300 metres altitude, Dofi is on ferrous brown and yellow slate laden with active calcium (“an ocean made desert”) – a more voluptuous, more energetic soil than L’Ermita. Still, the soil is poor enough that its grasses are cut back, as the vines don’t need any competition for nutrient in the dry, poor soils. Dofi is planted to three genetic versions of the local Garnatxa: that of ‘L'Ermita’ itself, one from the ‘les Aubaguetes (the Shady Vineyard)’ at Bellmunt to the south of Gratallops, and another strain from La Vilella Baixa.

There are now, in fact, two Finca Dofis. Álvaro’s original planting is 8 hectares at the top of the ridge line along from the winery at Gratallops, facing south towards Bellmunt. The second, more recently-planted aspect of Dofi is the hillslopes hanging below the ridge line, facing towards Torroja, mimicking L’Ermita (see photo above). Here are 12 hectares planted in 2012, roughly half each north and east facing. These beautiful vineyards have had the highest possible care in their creation. They are massed with typical local balsamic plants – wild-growing lavender, fennel and thyme. Organically farmed, protected by valerian and cereal infusions and sprayed with mined sulphur, with added nutrient from sheep/cow poo every 3 years. Dofi is de-stemmed, gently crushed, fermented in open vat with pigeage and 42 day maceration, before aging in new French barrique, bottled unfiltered and unfined. Garnatxa with 4% Caranyena. - Importer Note