Tasting Notes
The Terra de Cuques replaces the Torroja in the range going forward.
Terroir is more than the sum of its altitude, soil and fruit. It is also a prism for focusing skill and intent. As a beautiful blend of local varieties, Terra de Cuques Negre captures the complex soul of Torroja terroir. Llicorella-grown Carignan establishes the structure, backbone and acidity while clay-born Grenache lends the elegant expression of red fruit. The organically farmed vines range from 25 - 40 years old and grow at 300 - 350 meters in elevation. The fruit is hand harvested, whole cluster fermented and then more or less left alone before being transferred to foudres and cement for 14 months of aging.
True to its origins and signature, Terra de Cuques charms with its warm and supple nature. Rich black and red fruits reminisce about its many hours of copious sunshine. Yet, a cooling wind threads through the wine as well, as both a fine, persistent acidity and fresh herbal essence. Wonderfully juicy, balanced and expressive, a wine without pretensions, simply telling the liquid story of a place and a people and a time. - Winery Note
On paper it sounds almost too good to be true; the terroir-obsessed Dominik Huber, (originally aided by South Africa's Swartland pioneer and wunderkind Eben Sadie), working with old Carignan and Grenache vines, aiming to produce wines of great finesse and purity from the steep slate slopes of Priorat. A direct reaction against the heavy, oaky styles that still dominate the region, the wines of Terroir al Límit are as inspired by Burgundy as they are by recent tradition in their area. The vineyards are all around the village of Torroja. These sites are worked biodynamically; the cellar work is as minimalistic as possible, with low levels of sulphur being the only additions. Plenty of whole bunch and infusion rather than extraction as the maceration methods. There's a shunning of new/small format wood, in favour of unlined concrete and 1,800-litre mature oak, and a staunch belief that even in a region famed for its big wines, restraint, precision and balance are where the expression of terroir is at.Since their initial experiments in 2001, the wines of Terroir al Límit have created a sensation which has since spread far beyond Priorat and Catalonia's borders. Despite Sadie's involvement ceasing in 2011, Dominik Huber has taken both the viticulture and work in the cellar to even greater heights. If you haven't heard of this grower, don't fret; production is homeopathic. While critical and trade success has brought a great deal of attention (and local jealousy - in 2011 the winery was vandalized and a portion of their wines in barrel contaminated with household bleach), it has also served (to paraphrase Shakespeare) to hold the mirror up to Priorat winegrowers. Indeed, Terroir al Límit promotes a set of ideals and practices that have already influenced many of the more mature cellars within Priorat itself.Not often do we find ourselves tasting at a truly game-changing address, especially so in Spain. Yet these are wines to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. They are quite unlike anything we have seen from Priorat previously, and they are all the better for it. - Importer Note
| Product Type | Wine Red Grenache & Friends |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Priorat |
| Winemaking Practices | Natural |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |