Winemaker Notes
Produced from a small selection of estate vines 35-50 years old, located at about 2,000 feet along the sloping sides of the Sierra de Montsant. All of the vineyards are dry farmed without use of pesticides or herbicides and the winery is solar-powered. Each varietal is hand-harvested and fermented separately before being transferred to new French oak barrels for 18 months aging. Aromatic nose of black and blue fruits, licorice, vanilla and smoky oak. Supple and expansive with impressive vivacity and depth, slow-building tannins, spice and floral notes. Complex and nuanced red blend.
Blend: 35% Mazuelo (Carignan), 35% Garnacha, 30% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
Bright magenta color. An explosively perfumed, mineral-tinged bouquet displays fresh raspberry, cherry, licorice pastille and smoked meat scents. An exotic nuance makes an appearance with air. Stains the palate with sappy, appealingly sweet red/blue fruit, spicecake and candied rose flavors that show impressive clarity and back-end cut. Silky, slow-building tannins add subtle grip to the finish, which hangs on with superb, floral- and game-driven tenacity. I really like the blend of Old and New World qualities here.
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James Suckling
In a word, bold. Ripe and rich dark chocolate-coated blackberry and blackcurrant fruits with abundant sweet oak. Needs a couple of years to integrate. Best from 2020.
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Wine Spectator
Ripe blackberry and currant flavors mingle with cinnamon and cocoa notes in this plush red. Full-bodied but not heavy, with well-integrated tannins and citrusy acidity. Harmonious, in the modern style. Mazuelo, Syrah and Garnacha. Drink now through 2027.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
CUT108301_2014 Item# 783983