Priorat Vertical / Horizontal

A group of e-Bobbers tasted through a few top Priorat producers across recent vintages. Overall the wines were consistently outstanding. Priorat really hits my current vinous sweet spot --- concentrated fruit, minerality that adds complexity and depth / balance from supporting tannin and acid. Most of these wines were quite young with much upside for improvement with maturity.

Additionally, the food played a great supporting cast this Bucktown BYO --- a nice spot for any mid-priced offline. Total damage was $55 per head which included a generous tip.

A nice quaf thats past its prime. There are better examples of Priorat white.

• 2001 Gran Clos Priorat Vinya LLisarda 87 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  Light gold appearance with a nose of waxy fruits, lanolin and white flowers. Medium weight with an oily texture. Similar palate profile to the nose but also exhibiting nutty oxidative notes. Getting tired and lacking freshness. The '05 we tasted at the winery was much better --- one to drink in the first few years of life.

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50% Carignan, 35% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

2001 is clearly a better wine, but the 02 offers great drinking pleasure today.

• 2001 Celler Vall Llach Priorat Vall Llach 94 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  Aromatic nose of big blackberry fruit and minerals with toasty oak lingering in the background. Terrific balance of concentrated bright fruits and gritty tannins --- but still elegant with medium body. Minerality and green herbs add complexity to the pure and focused fruits. Long finish. Outstanding.

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• 2002 Celler Vall Llach Priorat Vall Llach 91 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  Bright nose of dark fruits, white flowers and minerals. Palate has layers and depth of fruit, licorice and dusty tannins. Very nice, but lacking the lift, vibrance and all around edge of the 2001.

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40% Garnacha, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 5% Pinot Noir, Mourvedre and Merlot

2001 was my WOTF --- with the 2000 in a better place today. 2002 offers very nice current drinking.

• 1999 Clos Mogador Priorat Flawed

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  Corked --- bummer as I was looking forward to this one.

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• 2000 Clos Mogador Priorat 95 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  Full throttle nose of blackberries, minerals, spice and herbs. Concentrated and mineral-driven palate is persistent and long. Edgy fruit and dusty tannins combine for terrific balance. A seamless and big wine that is elegant with all components in synch. Top notch.

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• 2001 Clos Mogador Priorat 97 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  Huge nose of dark fruits, minerals, licorice, spices and toasty oak. Big bodied and brawny palate. Concentrated dark fruits complicated with herbs, spices, tar, smoke and liquid minerals. Gripping tannins. Massive in every way. Totally stuffed and built to last. Not as harmonious as the 2000 today, but a better wine IMO. Awesome.

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• 2002 Clos Mogador Priorat 92 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  High toned nose of dark fruits, smoke, and bubble gum. Medium palate is softer than the 00 and 01. Licorice, blackberry, chocolate and minerals. This is quite nice and ready-to-go today. Some improvement possible but why not drink now?

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55% Grenache, 45% Carignan

Stepping up the concentration here. Loved both the 01 and 03. 2001 was my WOTF. Though the Mas Doix was the best 2002 of the night.

• 2001 Mas Doix Priorat Costers de Vinyes Velles 96 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  Soaring nose of ripe blueberry fruit, black minerals, melted licorice and toasty notes. Hugely concentrated palate is complex with flavors and textures. Tons of dark fruit, minerals, licorice and spice --- seamless and persistent across the long finish. Awesome with 2-3 points of upside.

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• 2002 Mas Doix Priorat Costers de Vinyes Velles 93 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  Elegantly aromatic nose of dark fruits, cedar and graphite is reminiscent of Bordeaux. Softer styled palate has good concentration of fruit and fine complementary tannin. Acidic edge provides lift and elegance. More balanced at this young age than the 01 and 03. Harmonious and drinking well. Outstanding, especially for early staged drinking.

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• 2003 Mas Doix Priorat Costers de Vinyes Velles 95 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  Huge wine with a big-time nose of ripe blueberries, vanilla and smoke. Viscous and round on the palate with massive concentration of primary dark fruits. Minerals, spice and vanilla-oak lend complexity --- but no doubt this is a baby that hasn't yet budged. Outstanding from start to the long finish. But give it time for some major upside.

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2001 was the lone soldier. Simply awesome --- my WOTN and group's WOTN.

• 2001 Clos Erasmus Priorat 98 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  An all-star wine with the best of all of tonight's Priorats. Big time singing nose that is both powerful and nuanced. Layered palate with concentrated dark fruits, black minerals, smoke and herbs. Totally suave --- sporting major fruit concentration with restraint. High toned, bright fruits that are complex with stoney minerals, herbs and smoke. Seamless and long. Close to perfect.

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• 2004 Jorge Ordoñez & Co. Málaga #3 Old Vines 92 Points

  Spain, Andalucía, Málaga

  Powerfully fragrant with spicy lychee fruit. Palate has ripe, syrupy peach fruits that are balanced with zinging acidity. There is a load of ripe fruit stuffing here. Delicious.

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Thanks to all for some great wine and company...