Tasting Notes
Smelling for all the world like an apple orchard in blossom (flowers, leaves and tree boughs), the Garnacha in this is really pretty, and marries beautifully to the grey-clay smell of the damp soils up under Mount Yerga out back of Alfaro. Crisper in tannin-line than unwooded Tempranillos such as LZ, and with a more pronounced, broader natural acidity, it's a very lively and linear Garnacha-based blend. Kee-runch! Both bright and earthily-fruited, this juicy little wine balances neat, modest tannins and soft red dirt acidity. Mid-weight at most, round and complete, gently spiced and perfumed, it's classy and delicious.
Alvaro Palacios was one of the 'pioneers', who vivified and re-interpreted Priorat after the Franco era de-planting. This small group of change-agents planted lots of French varietals in the fertile, alluvial valley soils and some in the mountains too ‚– typically, modern Priorats contain about a third of (mixed) Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah. Now, after 20 years, Alvaro sees it was clearly a mistake, and as his commitment is to the nobility of the local Garnacha he is reverse-engineering the French varietals out of his Priorats as quickly as he can.
Today, with the introduction of his 'Vi de Gratallops' Alvaro's regional 'hierarchy' and expression of Priorat complete (for now). Without doubt he is the finest producer in one of the most unique terroirs of world wine, working with indigenous old strains of Garnacha.
- Importer Note
| Product Type | Wine Red Grenache & Friends |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Rioja |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |