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Flag bearer of the new Spanish viticulture, Alvaro Palacios has built its reputation with its Priorat wines, including the flagship Ermita. In 2000, he returned to take care of the family property located east of the Rioja appellation. Over 100 hectares, the vineyard has been divided equally between grenache and tempranillo in organic conversion since 2015.
Propiedad, a high-end cuvée produced only in the great vintages (if not folded in La Montesa): the oldest vines (40 to 90 years old), long vatting, 14 months' maturation, without filtration before bottling, rated 92/100 by Vinous in 2015.
The 2021 vintage in the press:
Vinous (J. Hidalgo - December 2023): 94/100 “The 2021 Propiedad is a blend of 90% Garnacha and 10% other red varieties, sourced from the Monte Yerga vineyards in Alfaro, Rioja Oriental. Fermented with 55% whole clusters, it aged for ten months in foudres to maintain its purity and proximity to the fruit. This ruby-red wine features a reductive nose with notes of sour cherry, elder and grapefruit, along with herbal undertones that create a dynamic interplay. On thee palate, it is dry, lean and cleansing, lingering with a chalky, compact texture. This infusion-like red boasts an intense and vibrant mouthfeel, rich in nuance.”
Priorat is, since 1954, one of the only two "qualified" designations of origin ( with Rioja). However, world fame for this terroir only came about in the 1990s, under the impetus of Álvaro Palacios and René Barbier (Clos Mogador). With its very steep terrain, schist and slate soils and a climate full of contrasts due to its altitude (300 m to 1000 m), Priorat is a land of predilection for grenache (the flesh) and carignan (the bones).
In addition to the usual quality standards (very old vines, low yields, manual harvesting, etc.), what is most striking about Álvaro Palacios is his modern vision of Priorat with, from top to bottom of his range, wines that harmoniously combine minerality, richness, elegance and sweetness. If Ermita has rightly become a cult wine that is sought after worldwide, it is the harmony of its range, down to the "small" Camins del Priorat, that commands admiration.
The range of Álvaro Palacios is built around Grenache (as in Rayas), whose proportion in the blend increases with the quality of the wine. In addition, each cuvée contains a small amount (1% to 2%) of white grapes (white grenache, macabeu...) for added freshness.
Finca Dofì is the benchmark wine of Álvaro Palacios, which has contributed at least as much to its fame as L'Ermita. A 10 ha vineyard, 85% Grenache, 15% Carignan, the most voluptuous wine of the range, deep, generous and with perfectly coated tannins. Like a sensual Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Priorat is, since 1954, one of the only two "qualified" designations of origin ( with Rioja). However, world fame for this terroir only came about in the 1990s, under the impetus of Álvaro Palacios and René Barbier (Clos Mogador). With its very steep terrain, schist and slate soils and a climate full of contrasts due to its altitude (300 m to 1000 m), Priorat is a land of predilection for grenache (the flesh) and carignan (the bones).
In addition to the usual quality standards (very old vines, low yields, manual harvesting, etc.), what is most striking about Álvaro Palacios is his modern vision of Priorat with, from top to bottom of his range, wines that harmoniously combine minerality, richness, elegance and sweetness. If Ermita has rightly become a cult wine that is sought after worldwide, it is the harmony of its range, down to the "small" Camins del Priorat, that commands admiration.
The range of Álvaro Palacios is built around Grenache (as in Rayas), whose proportion in the blend increases with the quality of the wine. In addition, each cuvée contains a small amount (1% to 2%) of white grapes (white grenache, macabeu...) for added freshness.
La Baixada, a new cuvée created in 2018, parcel selection from 3 locations within the Finca Dofi vineyard, 100% grenache. Graceful, powerful and delicate on a taffeta texture, the combination of power and elegance of this wine is dazzling. La Baixada is in some ways the twin sister of the great L'Ermita vintage, but at a quarter of the price!
Flag bearer of the new Spanish viticulture, Alvaro Palacios has built its reputation with its Priorat wines, including the flagship Ermita. In 2000, he returned to take care of the family property located east of the Rioja appellation. Over 100 hectares, the vineyard has been divided equally between grenache and tempranillo in organic conversion since 2015.
Vendimia is, as announced on its colourful label, a fruit can barely aged in barrels (4 months).
Flag bearer of the new Spanish viticulture, Alvaro Palacios has built its reputation with its Priorat wines, including the flagship Ermita. In 2000, he returned to take care of the family property located east of the Rioja appellation. Over 100 hectares, the vineyard has been divided equally between grenache and tempranillo in organic conversion since 2015.
La Montesa is the Domaine's main cuvée, sweet, velvety and aged in barrels for 12 months. One of the most popular wines in Spain.
The 2020 vintage in the press:
Vinous (J. Hidalgo - December 2023): 93/100 “The modern-inspired 2020 La Montesa is a blend of 90% Garnacha and 10% other red varieties, from the Monte Yerga vineyards in Alfaro, Rioja oriental. Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, this infusion-like wine boasts a purple-red color. Its enticing, earthy-reductive nose presents notes of blood and sour cherry, intertwined with exhilarating, with a lean and taut profile that vibrates with a juicy, chalky mouthfeel, all balanced on a refreshing core - an alluring, flavorful red. ”