1997 Alvaro Palacios Priorat "Les Terasses"

[RAD]

Bought a case of this last year. Saw on my wine software that, inexplicably, I hadn't written a tasting note, despite having opened 4 bottles--guess I was too busy drinkin' and socializin'. In any event, I knew that I liked the wine, so here's what I got:

Clear, dark garnet color. Nose of blackberries and tar. Lots of jammy black friut and some spicyness, cinnamon, and tar. Medium-bodied. Finishes with a pleasant smoky note, and light- to middleweight tannins. Alcohol 13.7%.

Not sure of the exact percentage breakdown, but according to _The Oxford Companion To Wine_, Priorat is comprised of Garnacha (Grenache) and Carinena (Carignan). Apparently Palacios outsources the grapes for this wine.

This wine married PERFECTLY with my wife's roasted pork chops stuffed with a french bread, mushroom, onion, and gorgonzola stuffing; roasted new potatoes with olive oil and rosemary; and steamed asparagus. Delicious!

RAD

[raggedy1]

Just had the 98 and it is FANTASTIC! The QPR is without question one of the highest I've had in recent memory ($17.99). Once given time to open up (about 20 minutes) the nose exposes the dark fruit with a hint of spice. On the palate this fruit driven wine begs to be savored. The finish is medium-long. Good acidity balances out this package that shows very subtle tannins. What a find!

[RAD]

raggedy, glad you liked the 98, which I've yet to try. But now that I've got a new Eurocave and room to spare, I can go add to my inventory! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

RAD

[Thomas]

The Priorat region also includes Cabernet Sauvignon; the one I sell at my shop is predominantly so.

[RAD]

Foodie,

I don't remember seeing a Priorat at your shop. Is it a new one?

I'll have to give it a whirl. Still haven't gotten to all of the ones I picked up last time.

RAD

[RAD]

Just had the 1998. Bought a case of the 1997 last year, and will get at least a case of the 1998s this year. Raggedy, it is indeed a great bang for the buck.

Dark and concentrated. Crushed blackberries, as WS aptly describes it. Very fragrant nose of blackberries, violets, and roses; gushing fruit on the palate with mineral notes. Nice lingering finish with a touch of leather. $18.99 here in NYC.

RAD

[Thomas]

RAD, the Priorat at my shop is a '98, Gine-Gine. It's been there for a few months now, and I am on the last of the 98 vintage, according to my distributor; it is a true value at $14. The wine almost fits the description you posted.

[raggedy1]

I was happy to find this wine through a recommendation of the wine shop. It's nice that Spanish wines aren't as widely known as French and California wines (for us at least)!