Alvaro Palacios ‘Les Terrasses’ Garnacha-Samsó 2011

Description

Alvaro Palacios, whose family owns the prestigious Rioja Bodega, Palacios Remondo, spent 2 years at Château Pétrus before setting up on his own in Priorat in 1989. From the outset, he set out to produce world-class wines by using fruit from extremely low-yielding old vines and by applying ultra-modern winemaking techniques. He is now considered one of the “rock stars” of modern Spanish wine making best known for his work in revitalising the region of Priorat and his ultra-pricey “Grand Cru”, L’Ermita.

Les Terrasses is a regional wine, but is defined as “Velles Vinyes en costers”: taken solely from old mountain bush vines grown on the licorella (slate) soils of the Cims or hilltops around the rim of Priorat’s high country. It faithfully reflects the historical material Alvaro discovered on arrival in 1989. Fruit is taken from 65 historical plots though most of the Priorat villages, from vines aged 60-90 years and cropped around 1.5 tonnes/hectare. Bottled without filtration. Over recent years, it has changed to a Grenache-predominant wine as more mature Garnacha grown en costers is available. Les Terrasses is an authentic and delicious Priorat with genuine old vine character.

#26 in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2013 – 93 Points … “A light texture carries racy, intense flavors in this expressive red, with bright cherry, licorice, mineral, garrigue and spice notes mingling over light tannins and buoyed by lively acidity. Balanced, focused and elegant, with a lingering finish. Drink now through 2021. Special designation: Highly Recommended”

92 points, Josh Reynolds, Vinous “Glass-staining ruby. Exotically perfumed aromas of dark fruit compote, smoky Indian spices and licorice, with a building floral quality. Coats the palate with juicy blackberry and mulberry flavors enlivened by juicy acidity. Quite rich but manages to remaing energetic, finishing with sappy dark berry flavors and excellent persistence.”
RRP $135