2006 Cellers de Scala Dei Priorat Cartoixa

Community Tasting Notes (6) Avg Score: 91.4 points

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  10/22/2016 - Lothar Durktle Likes this wine: 95 Points

  The best wine I've ever had. Paired with one of the best days of my life. The Cubs are going to the World Series. I uncorked this wine in the 3rd inning. By the 6th, it was transcendent. By the 8th, incredible. By the end, I felt like royalty. A hour later, still dumbfounded. The flagship wine of Scala Dei, and in my eyes, this 2006 vintage is as legendary as the 1974 vintage. 40% Grenache, 30% Carignan, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah...15% ABV. The silkiest of tannins, the purest of fruit, the gently tugging minerality...bliss in a bottle.

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  11/6/2014 - Double D wrote: 90 Points

  A bit hot or astringent but good fruit and rich, could probably benefit from a few more years of rest in the cellar.

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  2/21/2014 - CamWheeler wrote: 90 Points

  Wines of the Mediterranean: Cola and coconut, vanilla and tar with some herbal notes as well. Plenty of spice on the palate, there is crackling acidity here that gives the wine focus and drive. Really good balance and length. Potential to improve as well.

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  9/6/2013 - Herschel Krustofski Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Largely agree - very nice and smooth after a 2 hour decant. Very well made. Dominated by the Grenache profile at this point. Can be kept a few years longer.

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  11/10/2011 - huse wrote: 93 Points

  Cellers ‘Scala Dei’ (Latin for ‘Ladder of God’) was the first winery in the region, founded in 1163 by Carthusian monks, who built here a monastery and introduced vine-growing in this area. (Priorat owes its name to the monastery, to its ‘prior’.) Cartoixa is the premium cuvée of the estate, a spectacular wine composed of 48 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 47 % Garnatxa and 5 % Syrah. Aged for 12 months in new French barriques and another 12 months in the bottle before being released on the market. Dense dark cherry-red color and an alluring bouquet showing a complex mix of cassis, licorice, vanilla, marzipan, sweet spices and a touch of tar. The palate is very robust and sumptuous but has also a very appealing substance, with layers of ripe plum and berry fruit, a rich mouth filling texture, harmoniously integrated tannins and a fine supporting acidity. Long, powerful finish. This wine is superbly drinking now, but I'm sure it will reward cellaring for another 3-5 years. To be decanted at least two hours prior to tasting.
  
  'Cellers Scala Dei' (Latijn voor 'Ladder van God') was de eerste wijnproducent in deze regio, opgericht in 1163 door Kartuizermonniken, die in dit gebied een klooster bouwden en er de wijnbouw introduceerden. (Priorat dankt trouwens zijn naam aan dit klooster, aan de 'priorij'.) Cartoixa is de premium cuvée van het domein, een spectaculaire wijn samengesteld uit 48 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 47 % Garnatxa en 5 % Syrah. De wijn rijpte 12 maanden in nieuwe Franse barriques en nog eens 12 maanden op fles alvorens hij op de markt werd gebracht. Dichte, donkere kersrode kleur en een verleidelijk en complex bouquet van cassis, zoethout, vanille, marsepein, zachte kruiden en een vleugje teer. De smaak is zeer robuust en weelderig, maar ook bijzonder aantrekkelijk met pakken rijp pruimen- en bessenfruit, een rijke mondvullende textuur, al mooi versmolten tannines en een fijne, ondersteunende aciditeit. Lange, krachtige afdronk. Deze wijn is nu al uitstekend op dronk, maar zal zich zeker nog gedurende 3-5 jaren verder ontwikkelen. Decanteer hem minstens twee uur op voorhand.

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