second time i had this wine really expressive on the nose, mix of red and dark fruit, dried plum, herbs lots of them and intermixed with some licorice. even some hints of iodine! this has high complexity and is very enjoyable to sniff.
on the palate very juicy, high tannins and acidity, decent wood aromas but rather on the background, very long. ripe dark fruits, baked and dried plums and some licorice. full body, this is a truck of herbs and dark fruit, lacking a bit of balance tho. this is young and can still age forever, remarkable for the third ever produced vintge from vall llach, the quality is through the roof. for me as a not fan of spanish wines this is enjoyable as it has enough freshness that carries through.
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Encore bien en forme et vibrant. C`est souple et gouleyant. Sur les framboises et les bleuets avec un peu d'anis et du poivre. Il y a aussi une pointe de de cannelle. Les tannins sont fins et la finale super longue et sur le café. Super bon.
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Says I one bottle left. Hope this is true because this is a very good bottle drinking at what must be it’s peak. Smooth silky, still weight and fruits. Well balanced, leaning towards darker and sweeter side, again still fruit and acidity.
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short notes: impressive acidity and freshness, more vibrance and tension compared to the 1999, riper fruit than 1999, over all better, drink now but can still enjoy over the next 5 years
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I had been an ardent fan of the resurrected Priorat region, especially since the 1990s--especailly. the wonderful 1998 Vall Llach, along with Mogador, Martinet and other refined producers. Then came the controversies as to whether these huge wines would age beyond a decade -which they definitely did. But I must say I have been a bit disappointed of late with wines like these from an excellent vintage and terrific producer. Purplish red color showed youth still, but the acid balance seemed off and the rich, desert-derived complexity of the very old vines no longer shone through. A pleasing, but acid-interrupted passage with garnachian notes but not worth banking on a lot of further age.
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Violet hues in body. Aromatic nose of cherries and dust. After opening, more distinct cherries and plum. Palate is rich, bright cherries, chocolate, plum. Full bodied and potent, jammy fruit complexity without becoming sweet. Lots of life left.
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Virtual Spanish Wines: Ripe red fruit and vanilla on the nose. The palate is dark, dense and rich, just a touch jammy with red to black berries. The oak is evident, with very slight anise. Surprisingly, this drank young, and big.
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Virtual Single Blind Spanish Tasting (Home): Very dark red color. Splash decanted and poured into jars for transport and poured into glasses about 2 hours later. Drank one glass plus single blind over 3 hours. Another winner, there's a nose of sweet dark fruits, cassis, and black rapsberry dried wood spices, hints of eucalyptus. The palate is medium bodied plus, creamy, creme de cassis, dark berries, oak, eucalyptus, dried wood and nice tannins. Very solid and got better through the evening. Better yet the next day. This certainly didn't really show its age, and it has so much time left. My #3 WOTN and tied for group #2 WOTN.
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Wines: This was a very nice tasting, conducted as a single blind (we knew the wines, but not which was which). The wines featured included the following: 2008 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Reserva Viña Tondonia (Starter wine) 2001 Celler Vall Llach Priorat 2004 Bodegas Aalto Ribera del Duero Aalto 2005 La Rioja Gran Reservea 904 2009 Celler Burgos-Porta Priorat Mas Sinen Coster 2009 Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Vlabuena 5° NV Pedro Ximenez Spinola Sherry (Desert wine)
Prep: Wines were decanted for about 10 mins then poured/filtered into jars for transport, and consumed 2-4 hours later.
Scores: The group's top 3 wines were: WOTN = 2005 La Rioja Gran Reservea 904, two wines tied for second = 2001 Celler Vall Llach Priorat, and 2009 Celler Burgos-Porta Priorat Mas Sinen Coster. My order was as follows: WOTN = 2009 Celler Burgos-Porta Priorat Mas Sinen Coster, #2 = 005 La Rioja Gran Reservea 904, #3 = 2001 Celler Vall Llach Priorat, #4 (tie) = 2009 Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Vlabuena 5° and 2004 Bodegas Aalto Ribera del Duero Aalto.
Review: 2001 Celler Vall Llach Priorat Vall Llach - This wine was very good. It drank much younger than it's age, and I guessed this to be the 2005 Rioja. The nose was sweet (but not as sweet as the actual 2005 Rioja) and the wine showed plenty of blue fruit on the nose and palate. The nose also contained some sweet, toasted oak and some purple flowers. The palate was well balanced, but had layers of blue fruit, herbs, forest floor, some leather notes and some vanilla. This was a very nice wine, and I could see it getting better with a little more time (although it is drinking quite well now). No heat and fine tannins, with a medium finish. Delicious! Easy 93 for me. Group's # 2 (tied) and my #3. This tasting showed me I do seem to gravitate to the Priorats!
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Really liked this, in a really good place but don't remember details, just that it had good age, was drinking really well with complexity and softness, quite rich, I think I thought it was a superb old Paso Syrah or something. Hiro's house.
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Last bottle one of 230 magnums made. I always liked this wine. First day with lamb back and truffle linguine a delight - day 2 showed much more open like a Pomerol with black chocolate and truffle and plum notes. Nice glass.
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A bright red elegant wine, silky smooth with great depth. Had my last bottle 4 years ago and didn't think it would get better but I think it is even though I'm giving the wine the same rating as last time I drank it. This is drinking great with a short decant.
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Well, I suppose that the verdict is in: the pundits were wrong when they said at first that these great Priorats would not last past 10 years. The 1998 was iconic. But the evolution of the 2001 in the last couple of years has not been positive. The elegance is still there. So is the deep briar that speaks of almost desert-like soil. And the strong wine making is evident too. But drying has begun,as has a dissipation of some of the striking fruit flavors that gave the edge to these wines. Short decant and pour.
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From magnum - this is definitely drinking very well now, open for business. Lush and somewhat Rhone like I found with some garrigue notes. Not quite a special as I found this wine ~5 years ago from standard bottle, but probably a function of my personal wine journey over the last couple years rather then the wine being actually worse.
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Decanted for two hours; minimal sediment. Bright ruby color to the rim. Lovely nose of briery fruit and oak. Wonderfully rich and complex medium-bodied jammy dark fruit on the palate, well-structured and enlivened by acids, and with some tannins still present. The finish is quite long and echoes the initial impressions. Sadly, my last bottle, but I suspect this wine will be good for several more years.
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2 hr decant, comparing this to the '00 last night is amazing how much fresher, tangy and energetic than it's brother. Long and lively finish. Good depth of red/black fruit, more red actually. Like it alot.
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Interestingly confusing wine. Drunk out of the bottle with aerater, after 2 hours' slow ox then next day. If napa cab franc and rhone Grenache had a boy, this would be it. Fragrant nose, lots of hawthorn and a good amount of violet. Medium body as it hits the palate then gets heavier as it rolls off the tongue. Palate reminds me of dark chocolate cranberry tart -- berry, chocolaty bitter. Well integrated sweet tanins. 45 second finish. Mouth watering.
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The lowest score I have given to a Val Llach since the legendary 1998. I had a very nice, blended bottle months ago--the rough tannins had quieted, and the fruit had integrated nicely--,but this 2001 never came together properly. Not disjointed, but an unmanageable heaviness, lack of briar balance with sweet dark cherry fruit and not that great earthy, wet wood, fall leaves evocation of Priorat that the prior bottle showed. Probably just a variation in bottles.
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I am writing this note now (in Nov-15) after having had a bottle of this over 2 years ago. No detailed notes available. I do however have to say (which is why I bother writing this now) that it continues to be one of the very best red wines I have enjoyed. I did have that on the same day as a Pichon Baron 2005 (which clearly was too early for the PB and it got smoked by the Vall Llach). I managed to get my hands on 3 out of the 250 magnums produced after tasting this (the one I had was from 750ml) and I do look forward to pulling the cork on another sometime soon.
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Silky, smooth all well integrated. A very "expensive" tasting wine. It is really hard to place it. Probably not experienced enough but... Rich depth but subtle. A very well made wine. Decanted for an hour. I don't think it will get better but I think it will drink well for a long time.
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Go figure! This is the best Vall Llach I have had since the legnedary--and never matched --1998. Whereas the 1998 set the Priorat standard and put the region on the international map, all efforts since have been faded by comparison.
So it is with great pleasure and surprise that the 2001, after 14 years, is the model of well made, well integrated 65-year old carignan vines, cabernet sauvignon and merlot.
I had expected the usual attractive briary mixture of Rhone grapes and earthy sunny soil in Spain. And not a French style Priorat like Mas Martinet. This wine has matured to a mellifluous, though not terribly complex, wine, , with the smooth merlot viscosity, cabernet muscle and texture/, and carignan character. Dark cherry, stewed dark red fruit, strong earthy tones, gravelly farmyard hints, all suggesting a better food wine than the early drinking suggested.
Drink up now with a 30 minute decant.
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Deep, medium+ body wine, long, good fruit. Still way too long. The cork was dried out, so I can't wait too long to open the other 2 bottles in my cellar.
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Very good wine. Complex, spicy nose. Silky and expansive palate. This wine is in a good spot right now and has room to improve. The only problem was the dried out cork.
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Decanted because of cork disintegrated. Poured immediately. It was singing right off the bat. A wow wine from a great vintage. Silky tannins, totally integrated. Still has good fruit but it has some development. Drink now or over the next two years.
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Just wonderful, long finish, layers and layers, nuanced, complex- can't quite place just what IT is- but, my goodness, It is! Wish we had more. At this price point- forget the others- just go with this.
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2nd Spaniards meeting, 9&half weeks after returning from Spain (at Ety & Hanan Shahaf, Lehavim): magnum. uncorked one hour in advance. Color: dark red-purple-black, no visible signs of ageing, not even on the rim. Nose: superb dark & ripe fruits, rich, powerful, hints of truffles & finest balsamic vinegar, tar and wet slate. Palate: rich, black fruits, integrated tannins, good acidity, smooth, savoury flavours, some minerality, long rich finish. Top classical Priorat terroir, will age nicely for another decade.
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A lucky find in my cellar. We had a crowd for dinner and the mag was still drinking well. I expected this bottle to be past prime, but the size helped. Dark ruby with slight thinning on the edge. Waining flavors of cherry and tobacco. Sure glad I opened this baby! EG #WineArchitect #Vall Llach
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This is a wine that satisfies. Nuanced, layered, smooth, velvet on the tongue, beautiful color, has a finish that keeps on keeping on. Restrained and exuberant, we really early enjoyed this wine. A class above. Ready now to enjoy.
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1st Spaniards meeting, 6 weeks after returning from Spain (at Adina's): magnum. decanted 7 hours in advance. surprisingly a relatively soft dry cork. Color: dark red-purple-black, no visible signs of ageing, not even on the rim. Nose: partially corky, though still rich, powerful, hints of truffles & balsamic vinegar, tar and wet slate. Palate: rich, black fruits, integrated tannins, good acidity, smooth, savoury flavours, some minerality, long rich finish. Top classical Priorat terroir, will age nicely for another decade.
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From magnum. Terrific. Penetrating intense nose of violet and raspberry, seemed like there was some whiff of alcohol there. But no heat on the palate at all. Big wine, loaded with black fruit and again some violet and maybe blackberry, with a almost spicy ripple. Great wine, many years left. I'm not even sure this has hit its prime, although was a mag so maybe better development. For what it's worth, had it with (very) mildly spiced pork ribs. Was a great complement! (Was surprised to read afterwards the blend is 50 carignan, 35 merlot etc. Totally thought it was Grenache dominated all the way.....)
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Black with a deep ruby rim. No detailed TN taken but this was a fantastic wine, with great precision and depth of black fruit. Full bodied with a long, balanced finish.
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Judgment of Six Fours, France vs. Spain. Blind tasting. Twelve tasters. Showing superb jammy notes of blueberries, pine nuts, light tobacco and black English tea. The whole is accompanied by graphite give a bed of minerality. The tannins are still big with one hours of decanting. After taste super long. A wine still very young and beginning his drinkability. Outstanding. My WOTN. 15.8/20, the best Spanish choice. Thanks to cellar tracker user to recommend this.
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Blind tasted and from the nose I wrongly guessed a powerful CDP. Deep, brooding nose of red & black fruit. Ripe, sweet raspberries with fresh acidity. The alcohol is still quite strong but it tasted smoother on the second day. Needs to be paired with the right gamey food. This can age another 10 years and perhaps will be better in another 5.
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My first time with this....50% Carignan,35% Merlot,15% Cab Sauv....this wine is aging fantastically! Deep plum, blueberry, currant fruit....aged leather, vanilla barrel spice, licorice, fruit cake spice, shaved truffle. Reminded me of a really ripe, aged Cali Cab...like from the Alexander Valley? Still some firm dusty tannin, as well as minerality....great spice and slight aged florals. Nice!
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Decanted for 1 1/2 hours. A good rough-hewn, somewhat muscular style. WIth 10+ years of aging a nice wine with steak or rabbit. But not ,once again, the 1998. And not completely pulled together. Definite Rhone-like tastes of purple fruit, earth,smokey moss, and a hint of cherry, with a brambly mouth feel with a hint too much alcohol.
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bought four of these upon release in my early days of wine buying [re: chasing points] and held offsite. This wine was absolutely wonderful and unlike anything I've had in my wine journey. The new oak is starting to become intergrated leaving the wonderful fruit and minerality. Good acid and tanins to last another 5-7 years easily. Will save my remaining three bottles to share with friends who haven't tried a fantastic Priorat
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Opened to celebrate the naming of my daughter. Had been kept carefully in the cellar for about eight years. Inky blue/black colour, with, incredibly, no visible signs of ageing, not even on the rim. This is interesting because there has been so much talk about whether Priorat can age or not... The answer is it can, and does, and the potential is impressive. Powerful, heady nose of truffles, balsamic vinegar, ruby port, violets, tar and wet slate. The tannins have thankfully softened (this is ordinarily a very ruggedly tannic wine when young), yielding a wine that is velvety and rich, offering sweet blackberry jam, pine nuts and Mediterranean pine forest and a striking minerality on a huge, almost majestic finish. This is ridiculously complex, even demanding, and will not please everyone. It's got big character and an unmistakeable Priorat terroir. A wine with charisma, heart and personality. And one which will age happily for another decade.
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An elegant modern wine. Slightly alcoholic nose and somewhat lacking in structure, but with a good mix of herb, kirsch and blackberry. Nice mouthfeel, although it somewhat cuts off midpalate. Soft and giving. Poor QPR.
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Priorat and Ribera del Duero (Willamette Wine Storage, Portland, OR): Very very soft and elegant aromas compared to the other wines. This shows rose petals, soft pretty graphite, nice dust, a crushed cherry pit, and light earthiness and dustiness. The palate is also quite soft, pretty and amazingly balanced and elegant in comparison to the others. Still tons of tannins, but these are soft. Some earth funk, slightly tart fruit, and plenty of spice. The finish offers intense spice. It's juicy, and there is some alcohol noticed. Good balance throughout otherwise, though, but I'd say this bottle needed to air a bit more to show its best based upon previous bottles.
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Light tobacco/smoke with cherry to dark berry on the nose leading seemlessly to matching fruit on the palate, balanced acidity and the lightest dusting of integrated tannins. Finish starts nicely with minerality, smokey ripe fruit, but as the wine aired more and warmed a bit (68F) a bit of bitterness entered the picture. While this will last for a few years, those who enjoy a well-developed mouth-feel, deeper flavors and palate should drink sooner, as the fruit is clearly starting toward the downside. Those who want drier, leaner textures and more emphasis on tertiary characteristics could wait.
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This is not a British wine writer wine. But it is gorgeous. Big, big fruit, with a big backbone structure of tannin. Lots of cherry, tea, liqourice and anise. I had the 2002 the other day. It is a pale specter of this wine - what happened in between - that can't all be vintage. Very distinctive and a strong dose of oak - not too much for me though. This will be even better in a couple of years.
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Dark garnet color. Opened, but needed a full thirty minutes to decant to allow the full fruit flavor to show itself. This was the most concentrated dark red fruit wine at today's table. Silky tannins were masking the flavors at first but subsided to drink wonderful. Plenty of time left in this vintage. Drinking the 02 right now. EG WineArchitect
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Medium ruby color. Popped and decanted for a bit. After pouring in the glass one can detect ripe cherry and cocoa aromas. There is a bit of age on the nose. Enjoyed with the balance of the meal with matching, but not overpowering flavors that match the nose, but downgraded slightly from my higher marks. EG WineArchitect
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Black with deep ruby rim. Beautifully integrated nose of deep black fruit, chorizo and sweet floral perfume. Full on the palate with loads of tart black fruit and a long finish. This must be at around peak now, just a great wine. 94+ pts.
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Dark garnet color. A touch of sour cherries upon opening. After decantation, the wine went perfect and round with smooth tannins and loads of black cherry flavor. The nose was a bit restrained, but the wine was wonderful with dinner. EG WineArchitct
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Cracked open my last six pack. These have been tucked away in the corner aging gracefully. Dark ruby color. Nose of cherries. Medium finish. Drinking perfectly right now. Some of my last six bottles showed a bit more age in the mouth than this one, but great for the most part. Enjoy now or in the next couple of years to taste nice fruit. EG WineArchitect
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Beautiful dark ruby. Luscious long legs. Doesn't reveal too much on the nose but for notes of dark fruit and alcohol. Quite distinctive on the palate with notes of dark fruit and some oak. Quite expansive and bold with acidity and tannins still needing to evolve. Drinks very well today yet will no doubt be even better with time. 50+10+7+18+8=93+
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This wine is drinking superb right now. It still has a dark ruby color that is leaning slightly lighter. The bouquet is still a bit constrained but reveals earthy terroir, tobacco and black cherry. In the mouth, the wine explodes with black cherry fruit flavors that fill the mouth. Tannins are soft and there is a 30 second finish. EG
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This baby is finally where it should be to begin showing it's true colors and flavors. I have waited patiently and only now wish I had two cases more! Dark inky ruby with intense fruit flavor and blackberry roundness in the mouth. EG
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Had it family watching the AFC championship game. Nose is cherry and black fruit. First sip is loaded with dark chocolate and cherry on the palate. Slight oak remains and finish is extremely long. Loved it. Will continue to get better.
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Nine years of cellar age have turned this into a wonderful and approachable bottle of Priorat wine. The nose is loaded with black cherry and red berry flavors with notes of cocoa and earth. The color is a medium to dark ruby with no signs of thinning on the edge. The cabernet flavor coats your mouth and leaves a full and fruity taste with soft, dusty integrated tannins. This wine is drinking excellent right now. EG
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Prima Priorato; 1/7/2010-1/8/2010: nose - sweet red fruit mouth - cocoa, red fruit, fruit punch, smooth, well integrated tannins, grew on me considerably throughout the course of the evening
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Deep ruby rim, black center. Brilliantly focused blackberry essence on the nose with elements of black tea. Full bodied on the palate with fine structure, a touch of cocoa. Long finish.
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14.5% alcohol. 50% carignan, 35% merlot, 15% cabernet sauvignon. decanted. reading all the 90+ reviews makes me both laugh...and puke. this wine is a poster child for spoofilation. an over extracted, over oaked pile of dung. i'd rather drink quilceda creek.
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An evening in Tucson: Serious smoke and some spice on the nose. On the palate, this is dark, rich, tight, and spicy. Very nice wine but OH so young. Needs many more years. 92 today, will clearly improve.
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Bordeaux 1989 (and the rest...) @ Peter V. (Netherlands): This is really super. It contains all the brutal power and concentration of the other top of the bill Spaniards in 2001. BUT...., there's some subtle elegance and grace peaking through the heavy velvety curtains. Finally, I picked up some refinement! 19/20
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Brought to a dinner with some wine friends (pyang, brettay, mrs. brettay) and family in Napa over the holidays. Uncorked about 2 hrs prior to dinner at N.V., but not decanted. Holy cow...an amazing aroma of dark fruit, warm garden soil, anise, and classy oak. On the palate, cherry, black pepper, currant. This is a killer and who would guess (no one at dinner did) that this is largely grenache (oops, garnacha...it's Spanish) based. This just continued to evolve over the next two hours. Fantastic. Wish I had more...bummer.
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Priorat Vertical / Horizontal (Rios d' Sudamerica - Chicago, IL): 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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Drinking real well right now with 1-2 hrs decant (watch the sediment). Nice intensity, balance and a bit of complexity. Will hold remaining bottle for 1-2 years. Why couldn't the '99 drink like this?
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Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Titan Cabernet glass. Purple to dark purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of allspice, dried herbs, a floral element, some blackberries and kirsch. Still a little tight on the nose in my opinion. Could probably improve with time. Flavors of red berries, red currants and some cherries. Once again, a little “closed” on the palate, not giving away a lot quite as yet. Medium acidity, firm yet integrated tannins. Medium bodied. Definitely hold for at least 3-4 years before tasting again. No value recommendation.
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Priorat (or Roy at Il Corso!) (il corso): lighter, more mature? or more subdued nose, new world pallate, with sweeter fruit and a bit less acidity than 2000. fun wine but not my style.would have wished for better balance.
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A wine that shows what proirat is all about. Great drinking now ! Opened it among california fans and did not tell them what it was. They were all in love with it. Let breath for 1 hour.
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Rhone & Spain Dinner: Blind 5 - Nose of pepper, cedar, balsa wood, caramel, "melted licorice" and a little sweet oak. Sweet attack of dark fruit. Medium-bodied with late acidity. Pretty good stuff.
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Drank after 2 1/2 hours of decanting. Purple at the rim, deep black center. The first whiff was of violets and smoke. But with time in the glass the nose resolved itself to an intense smell of ripe plums and blackberries, smoky oak and spices (nutmeg). On the palate it showed silky tannins with black pepper, black fruits and a long spicy finish. Pronounced acids balanced the high fruit.
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Dinner at Harvest Vine (Seattle, WA, USA): Mmm, a dense, almost smoldering nose of mineral, cranberry, and leather. Just popped and poured without decanting, this was reticent and compact at first, but after three hours this really started to sing. The highlight was an amazing attack, as this sweeps across the palate with amazing depth, precision and minerality. The balance here is impeccable, and this is sneaky long with dusty tannins that you feel on your front teeth about a minute afte a sip. This still seems fairly closed and will likely be much better with a lot more decanting or a number of years. Lovely, lovely Priorato!
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Decanted 3 hours in advance. Wow, this nicely extracted wine offers complex aromas of plums, dark fruits, an espresso and vanilla oak component, and a little bit of scorched earth. Still very tannic in mouth but with a nice balance and a long smooth finish. I will let my other one rest for a while.
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FROM John @ Prima Vini - "60% Carinena with the remainder made from Cabernet and Merlot. Cool-sleek and very sexy. Knock-out crushed berry-hot tar, violet nose. Mid-weight, elegant and polished with nice acidity and supple, ripe tannin. Not too much oak. Truffles, licorice, black raspberries, kirsch and an endless finish. Obviously New World, but who cares. Could last 20 years too. ***** [out of five stars]"
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3/20/2024 - La Sprezzatura wrote: 92 Points
second time i had this wine
really expressive on the nose, mix of red and dark fruit, dried plum, herbs lots of them and intermixed with some licorice. even some hints of iodine!
this has high complexity and is very enjoyable to sniff.
on the palate very juicy, high tannins and acidity, decent wood aromas but rather on the background, very long.
ripe dark fruits, baked and dried plums and some licorice.
full body, this is a truck of herbs and dark fruit, lacking a bit of balance tho.
this is young and can still age forever, remarkable for the third ever produced vintge from vall llach, the quality is through the roof.
for me as a not fan of spanish wines this is enjoyable as it has enough freshness that carries through.
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2/21/2024 - maxima wrote: 91 Points
Encore bien en forme et vibrant.
C`est souple et gouleyant.
Sur les framboises et les bleuets avec un
peu d'anis et du poivre. Il y a aussi une pointe
de de cannelle. Les tannins sont fins et la finale
super longue et sur le café.
Super bon.
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4/3/2023 - Golf_Wine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Says I one bottle left. Hope this is true because this is a very good bottle drinking at what must be it’s peak. Smooth silky, still weight and fruits.
Well balanced, leaning towards darker and sweeter side, again still fruit and acidity.
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10/2/2021 - La Sprezzatura Likes this wine: 95 Points
short notes: impressive acidity and freshness, more vibrance and tension compared to the 1999, riper fruit than 1999, over all better, drink now but can still enjoy over the next 5 years
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8/28/2021 - Javachip wrote: 94 Points
San Diego Superspeader 2021 (Solare Restaurant, Liberty Station, Point Loma, San Diego CA): Decanted. Carignan, merlot, cabernet sauvignon. Youthful dark garnet-purple color. Beautiful notes of red pomegranate, raspberry, cherry, lilacs, mincemeat, black tea. Clearly very different from all the sangiovese and nebbiolo on the table. Outstanding.
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4/2/2021 - Sotto325 wrote: 90 Points
I had been an ardent fan of the resurrected Priorat region, especially since the 1990s--especailly. the wonderful 1998 Vall Llach, along with Mogador, Martinet and other refined producers. Then came the controversies as to whether these huge wines would age beyond a decade -which they definitely did. But I must say I have been a bit disappointed of late with wines like these from an excellent vintage and terrific producer. Purplish red color showed youth still, but the acid balance seemed off and the rich, desert-derived complexity of the very old vines no longer shone through. A pleasing, but acid-interrupted passage with garnachian notes but not worth banking on a lot of further age.
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12/19/2020 - CheviotCellar Likes this wine: 94 Points
Violet hues in body. Aromatic nose of cherries and dust. After opening, more distinct cherries and plum. Palate is rich, bright cherries, chocolate, plum. Full bodied and potent, jammy fruit complexity without becoming sweet. Lots of life left.
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12/6/2020 - galewskj wrote: 94 Points
Virtual Spanish Wines: Ripe red fruit and vanilla on the nose. The palate is dark, dense and rich, just a touch jammy with red to black berries. The oak is evident, with very slight anise. Surprisingly, this drank young, and big.
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12/3/2020 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Virtual Single Blind Spanish Tasting (Home): Very dark red color. Splash decanted and poured into jars for transport and poured into glasses about 2 hours later. Drank one glass plus single blind over 3 hours. Another winner, there's a nose of sweet dark fruits, cassis, and black rapsberry dried wood spices, hints of eucalyptus. The palate is medium bodied plus, creamy, creme de cassis, dark berries, oak, eucalyptus, dried wood and nice tannins. Very solid and got better through the evening. Better yet the next day. This certainly didn't really show its age, and it has so much time left. My #3 WOTN and tied for group #2 WOTN.
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12/3/2020 - I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Spectacular Spanish Reds: Spanish Spectacular Zoom Tasting
Wines: This was a very nice tasting, conducted as a single blind (we knew the wines, but not which was which). The wines featured included the following:
2008 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Reserva Viña Tondonia (Starter wine)
2001 Celler Vall Llach Priorat
2004 Bodegas Aalto Ribera del Duero Aalto
2005 La Rioja Gran Reservea 904
2009 Celler Burgos-Porta Priorat Mas Sinen Coster
2009 Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Vlabuena 5°
NV Pedro Ximenez Spinola Sherry (Desert wine)
Prep: Wines were decanted for about 10 mins then poured/filtered into jars for transport, and consumed 2-4 hours later.
Scores: The group's top 3 wines were: WOTN = 2005 La Rioja Gran Reservea 904, two wines tied for second = 2001 Celler Vall Llach Priorat, and 2009 Celler Burgos-Porta Priorat Mas Sinen Coster. My order was as follows: WOTN = 2009 Celler Burgos-Porta Priorat Mas Sinen Coster, #2 = 005 La Rioja Gran Reservea 904, #3 = 2001 Celler Vall Llach Priorat, #4 (tie) = 2009 Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Vlabuena 5° and 2004 Bodegas Aalto Ribera del Duero Aalto.
Review:
2001 Celler Vall Llach Priorat Vall Llach - This wine was very good. It drank much younger than it's age, and I guessed this to be the 2005 Rioja. The nose was sweet (but not as sweet as the actual 2005 Rioja) and the wine showed plenty of blue fruit on the nose and palate. The nose also contained some sweet, toasted oak and some purple flowers. The palate was well balanced, but had layers of blue fruit, herbs, forest floor, some leather notes and some vanilla. This was a very nice wine, and I could see it getting better with a little more time (although it is drinking quite well now). No heat and fine tannins, with a medium finish. Delicious! Easy 93 for me. Group's # 2 (tied) and my #3. This tasting showed me I do seem to gravitate to the Priorats!
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7/18/2020 - peternelson Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really liked this, in a really good place but don't remember details, just that it had good age, was drinking really well with complexity and softness, quite rich, I think I thought it was a superb old Paso Syrah or something. Hiro's house.
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5/9/2020 - Mark van Delft Likes this wine: 94 Points
Top quality Priorat: Fig, dried dark fruit, berries, graphite, black currant, espresso, soft raisin, medium to full body, superb long finish.
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2/29/2020 - Old Vino Likes this wine: 94 Points
from a magnum shared with family in Bahamas!
smooth delicious no hard edges
medium long finish
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12/26/2019 - BenBlu Likes this wine: 92 Points
Last bottle one of 230 magnums made. I always liked this wine. First day with lamb back and truffle linguine a delight - day 2 showed much more open like a Pomerol with black chocolate and truffle and plum notes. Nice glass.
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9/22/2019 - bonedocnine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Still vibrant and young. No hurries on this one....
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9/16/2019 - Golf_Wine Likes this wine: 93 Points
A bright red elegant wine, silky smooth with great depth. Had my last bottle 4 years ago and didn't think it would get better but I think it is even though I'm giving the wine the same rating as last time I drank it. This is drinking great with a short decant.
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12/10/2018 - Frank Schneider wrote: 91 Points
Good lush spanish red. Mature and ready to go.
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3/30/2018 - Sotto325 wrote: 89 Points
Well, I suppose that the verdict is in: the pundits were wrong when they said at first that these great Priorats would not last past 10 years. The 1998 was iconic. But the evolution of the 2001 in the last couple of years has not been positive. The elegance is still there. So is the deep briar that speaks of almost desert-like soil. And the strong wine making is evident too. But drying has begun,as has a dissipation of some of the striking fruit flavors that gave the edge to these wines. Short decant and pour.
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10/12/2017 - BenBlu Likes this wine: 92 Points
From magnum - this is definitely drinking very well now, open for business. Lush and somewhat Rhone like I found with some garrigue notes. Not quite a special as I found this wine ~5 years ago from standard bottle, but probably a function of my personal wine journey over the last couple years rather then the wine being actually worse.
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9/5/2016 - wculpepper Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted for two hours; minimal sediment. Bright ruby color to the rim. Lovely nose of briery fruit and oak. Wonderfully rich and complex medium-bodied jammy dark fruit on the palate, well-structured and enlivened by acids, and with some tannins still present. The finish is quite long and echoes the initial impressions. Sadly, my last bottle, but I suspect this wine will be good for several more years.
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8/13/2016 - Louvin Likes this wine: 93 Points
2 hr decant, comparing this to the '00 last night is amazing how much fresher, tangy and energetic than it's brother. Long and lively finish. Good depth of red/black fruit, more red actually. Like it alot.
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4/2/2016 - convex Likes this wine: 93 Points
Interestingly confusing wine. Drunk out of the bottle with aerater, after 2 hours' slow ox then next day. If napa cab franc and rhone Grenache had a boy, this would be it. Fragrant nose, lots of hawthorn and a good amount of violet. Medium body as it hits the palate then gets heavier as it rolls off the tongue. Palate reminds me of dark chocolate cranberry tart -- berry, chocolaty bitter. Well integrated sweet tanins. 45 second finish. Mouth watering.
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12/26/2015 - Sotto325 wrote: 89 Points
The lowest score I have given to a Val Llach since the legendary 1998. I had a very nice, blended bottle months ago--the rough tannins had quieted, and the fruit had integrated nicely--,but this 2001 never came together properly. Not disjointed, but an unmanageable heaviness, lack of briar balance with sweet dark cherry fruit and not that great earthy, wet wood, fall leaves evocation of Priorat that the prior bottle showed. Probably just a variation in bottles.
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11/25/2015 - BenBlu Likes this wine: 96 Points
I am writing this note now (in Nov-15) after having had a bottle of this over 2 years ago. No detailed notes available. I do however have to say (which is why I bother writing this now) that it continues to be one of the very best red wines I have enjoyed. I did have that on the same day as a Pichon Baron 2005 (which clearly was too early for the PB and it got smoked by the Vall Llach). I managed to get my hands on 3 out of the 250 magnums produced after tasting this (the one I had was from 750ml) and I do look forward to pulling the cork on another sometime soon.
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8/5/2015 - KenPlace wrote: 94 Points
Best and last bottle. This bottle was singing. Decanted for 1 hour. Very long with deep flavors.
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7/18/2015 - Golf_Wine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Silky, smooth all well integrated. A very "expensive" tasting wine.
It is really hard to place it. Probably not experienced enough but...
Rich depth but subtle. A very well made wine. Decanted for an hour.
I don't think it will get better but I think it will drink well for a long time.
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4/29/2015 - Sotto325 wrote: 92 Points
Go figure! This is the best Vall Llach I have had since the legnedary--and never matched --1998. Whereas the 1998 set the Priorat standard and put the region on the international map, all efforts since have been faded by comparison.
So it is with great pleasure and surprise that the 2001, after 14 years, is the model of well made, well integrated 65-year old carignan vines, cabernet sauvignon and merlot.
I had expected the usual attractive briary mixture of Rhone grapes and earthy sunny soil in Spain. And not a French style Priorat like Mas Martinet. This wine has matured to a mellifluous, though not terribly complex, wine, , with the smooth merlot viscosity, cabernet muscle and texture/, and carignan character. Dark cherry, stewed dark red fruit, strong earthy tones, gravelly farmyard hints, all suggesting a better food wine than the early drinking suggested.
Drink up now with a 30 minute decant.
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3/13/2015 - magic2coop Likes this wine: 94 Points
Found this in the cellar. Cinnamon, earth on the nose, then to roses, blueberry, and leather. Drinking great now, may hold on for a few more years
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1/19/2015 - LikeABC Does not like this wine: flawed
Corked😞
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12/16/2014 - KenPlace wrote: 93 Points
Deep, medium+ body wine, long, good fruit. Still way too long. The cork was dried out, so I can't wait too long to open the other 2 bottles in my cellar.
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11/9/2014 - KenPlace wrote: 92 Points
Serious wine. Big, bold, developing. Needs a few more years to peak but you can tell that it has the stuffing to do so.
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9/24/2014 - KenPlace wrote: 93 Points
Very good wine. Complex, spicy nose. Silky and expansive palate. This wine is in a good spot right now and has room to improve. The only problem was the dried out cork.
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8/8/2014 - KenPlace Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted because of cork disintegrated. Poured immediately. It was singing right off the bat. A wow wine from a great vintage. Silky tannins, totally integrated. Still has good fruit but it has some development. Drink now or over the next two years.
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3/17/2014 - N.Bonaparte wrote: 94 Points
60 min decant- full bodied with good complexity and a long finish. Good balance and in prime but has plenty of life left. Good value.
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2/6/2014 - slrankin Likes this wine: 94 Points
Just wonderful, long finish, layers and layers, nuanced, complex- can't quite place just what IT is- but, my goodness, It is! Wish we had more. At this price point- forget the others- just go with this.
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1/26/2014 - joshwoodward wrote: 93 Points
Pop and pour. Not too big, quite young, really delicious, balanced and dark fruity.
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1/2/2014 - Yagil wrote: 94 Points
2nd Spaniards meeting, 9&half weeks after returning from Spain (at Ety & Hanan Shahaf, Lehavim): magnum. uncorked one hour in advance.
Color: dark red-purple-black, no visible signs of ageing, not even on the rim.
Nose: superb dark & ripe fruits, rich, powerful, hints of truffles & finest balsamic vinegar, tar and wet slate.
Palate: rich, black fruits, integrated tannins, good acidity, smooth, savoury flavours, some minerality, long rich finish.
Top classical Priorat terroir, will age nicely for another decade.
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1/2/2014 - WineArchitect Likes this wine: 92 Points
A lucky find in my cellar. We had a crowd for dinner and the mag was still drinking well. I expected this bottle to be past prime, but the size helped. Dark ruby with slight thinning on the edge. Waining flavors of cherry and tobacco. Sure glad I opened this baby! EG #WineArchitect #Vall Llach
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12/20/2013 - slrankin Likes this wine: 95 Points
This is a wine that satisfies. Nuanced, layered, smooth, velvet on the tongue, beautiful color, has a finish that keeps on keeping on. Restrained and exuberant, we really early enjoyed this wine. A class above. Ready now to enjoy.
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12/9/2013 - Yagil wrote: 91 Points
1st Spaniards meeting, 6 weeks after returning from Spain (at Adina's): magnum. decanted 7 hours in advance. surprisingly a relatively soft dry cork.
Color: dark red-purple-black, no visible signs of ageing, not even on the rim.
Nose: partially corky, though still rich, powerful, hints of truffles & balsamic vinegar, tar and wet slate.
Palate: rich, black fruits, integrated tannins, good acidity, smooth, savoury flavours, some minerality, long rich finish.
Top classical Priorat terroir, will age nicely for another decade.
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8/2/2013 - rcg62 wrote: 95 Points
From magnum. Terrific. Penetrating intense nose of violet and raspberry, seemed like there was some whiff of alcohol there. But no heat on the palate at all. Big wine, loaded with black fruit and again some violet and maybe blackberry, with a almost spicy ripple. Great wine, many years left. I'm not even sure this has hit its prime, although was a mag so maybe better development. For what it's worth, had it with (very) mildly spiced pork ribs. Was a great complement! (Was surprised to read afterwards the blend is 50 carignan, 35 merlot etc. Totally thought it was Grenache dominated all the way.....)
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7/20/2013 - edjBoca wrote: 91 Points
This was open for a few hours and it is fading from its former glory. Pop and pour this wine. Its best days are in the past. :(
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12/31/2012 - dougsmith Likes this wine: 94 Points
Black with a deep ruby rim. No detailed TN taken but this was a fantastic wine, with great precision and depth of black fruit. Full bodied with a long, balanced finish.
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11/24/2012 - dead puddle wrote: 94 Points
Judgment of Six Fours, France vs. Spain. Blind tasting. Twelve tasters. Showing superb jammy notes of blueberries, pine nuts, light tobacco and black English tea. The whole is accompanied by graphite give a bed of minerality. The tannins are still big with one hours of decanting. After taste super long. A wine still very young and beginning his drinkability. Outstanding. My WOTN. 15.8/20, the best Spanish choice. Thanks to cellar tracker user to recommend this.
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11/16/2012 - Capt Cutlass wrote: 91 Points
Blind tasted and from the nose I wrongly guessed a powerful CDP. Deep, brooding nose of red & black fruit. Ripe, sweet raspberries with fresh acidity. The alcohol is still quite strong but it tasted smoother on the second day. Needs to be paired with the right gamey food. This can age another 10 years and perhaps will be better in another 5.
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7/8/2012 - cubswinws wrote: 95 Points
Absolutely incredible. Still fresh and bright but soft dusty tannins and smoky minerals make for good depth and a long finish. Just great
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4/19/2012 - Mrbuzz Likes this wine: 95 Points
My first time with this....50% Carignan,35% Merlot,15% Cab Sauv....this wine is aging fantastically! Deep plum, blueberry, currant fruit....aged leather, vanilla barrel spice, licorice, fruit cake spice, shaved truffle. Reminded me of a really ripe, aged Cali Cab...like from the Alexander Valley? Still some firm dusty tannin, as well as minerality....great spice and slight aged florals. Nice!
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2/18/2012 - Sotto325 wrote: 89 Points
Decanted for 1 1/2 hours. A good rough-hewn, somewhat muscular style. WIth 10+ years of aging a nice wine with steak or rabbit. But not ,once again, the 1998. And not completely pulled together. Definite Rhone-like tastes of purple fruit, earth,smokey moss, and a hint of cherry, with a brambly mouth feel with a hint too much alcohol.
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2/13/2012 - LikeABC wrote:
bought four of these upon release in my early days of wine buying [re: chasing points] and held offsite. This wine was absolutely wonderful and unlike anything I've had in my wine journey. The new oak is starting to become intergrated leaving the wonderful fruit and minerality. Good acid and tanins to last another 5-7 years easily. Will save my remaining three bottles to share with friends who haven't tried a fantastic Priorat
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10/7/2011 - ricard Likes this wine: 95 Points
Opened to celebrate the naming of my daughter. Had been kept carefully in the cellar for about eight years. Inky blue/black colour, with, incredibly, no visible signs of ageing, not even on the rim. This is interesting because there has been so much talk about whether Priorat can age or not... The answer is it can, and does, and the potential is impressive. Powerful, heady nose of truffles, balsamic vinegar, ruby port, violets, tar and wet slate. The tannins have thankfully softened (this is ordinarily a very ruggedly tannic wine when young), yielding a wine that is velvety and rich, offering sweet blackberry jam, pine nuts and Mediterranean pine forest and a striking minerality on a huge, almost majestic finish. This is ridiculously complex, even demanding, and will not please everyone. It's got big character and an unmistakeable Priorat terroir. A wine with charisma, heart and personality. And one which will age happily for another decade.
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8/22/2011 - cooberp wrote: 90 Points
An elegant modern wine. Slightly alcoholic nose and somewhat lacking in structure, but with a good mix of herb, kirsch and blackberry. Nice mouthfeel, although it somewhat cuts off midpalate. Soft and giving. Poor QPR.
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7/9/2011 - edjBoca wrote: 93 Points
Opened up a good deal after a few hours. Good red fruit framed by some acid and tannins. All was in balance. This should last a few more years
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6/30/2011 - David Paris (dbp) wrote: 92 Points
Priorat and Ribera del Duero (Willamette Wine Storage, Portland, OR): Very very soft and elegant aromas compared to the other wines. This shows rose petals, soft pretty graphite, nice dust, a crushed cherry pit, and light earthiness and dustiness. The palate is also quite soft, pretty and amazingly balanced and elegant in comparison to the others. Still tons of tannins, but these are soft. Some earth funk, slightly tart fruit, and plenty of spice. The finish offers intense spice. It's juicy, and there is some alcohol noticed. Good balance throughout otherwise, though, but I'd say this bottle needed to air a bit more to show its best based upon previous bottles.
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6/8/2011 - robmatic wrote: 92 Points
Shows much more structure and focus than the Embruix. Potent fruit bordering on overripe. Rather flamboyant style that doesn't really fit my taste.
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4/12/2011 - dekay wrote: 92 Points
Light tobacco/smoke with cherry to dark berry on the nose leading seemlessly to matching fruit on the palate, balanced acidity and the lightest dusting of integrated tannins. Finish starts nicely with minerality, smokey ripe fruit, but as the wine aired more and warmed a bit (68F) a bit of bitterness entered the picture. While this will last for a few years, those who enjoy a well-developed mouth-feel, deeper flavors and palate should drink sooner, as the fruit is clearly starting toward the downside. Those who want drier, leaner textures and more emphasis on tertiary characteristics could wait.
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3/29/2011 - Winevestor wrote: 96 Points
This is not a British wine writer wine. But it is gorgeous. Big, big fruit, with a big backbone structure of tannin. Lots of cherry, tea, liqourice and anise. I had the 2002 the other day. It is a pale specter of this wine - what happened in between - that can't all be vintage. Very distinctive and a strong dose of oak - not too much for me though. This will be even better in a couple of years.
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3/27/2011 - bonedocnine wrote: 92 Points
At 10 years old this wine is quite nice with rich fruit notes without any signs of age. Nice effort from this producer.
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12/17/2010 - WineArchitect Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark garnet color. Opened, but needed a full thirty minutes to decant to allow the full fruit flavor to show itself. This was the most concentrated dark red fruit wine at today's table. Silky tannins were masking the flavors at first but subsided to drink wonderful. Plenty of time left in this vintage. Drinking the 02 right now. EG WineArchitect
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12/8/2010 - WineArchitect Likes this wine: 91 Points
Medium ruby color. Popped and decanted for a bit. After pouring in the glass one can detect ripe cherry and cocoa aromas. There is a bit of age on the nose. Enjoyed with the balance of the meal with matching, but not overpowering flavors that match the nose, but downgraded slightly from my higher marks. EG WineArchitect
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11/5/2010 - dougsmith wrote: 94 Points
Black with deep ruby rim. Beautifully integrated nose of deep black fruit, chorizo and sweet floral perfume. Full on the palate with loads of tart black fruit and a long finish. This must be at around peak now, just a great wine. 94+ pts.
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10/19/2010 - WineArchitect Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark garnet color. A touch of sour cherries upon opening. After decantation, the wine went perfect and round with smooth tannins and loads of black cherry flavor. The nose was a bit restrained, but the wine was wonderful with dinner. EG WineArchitct
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9/17/2010 - WineArchitect Likes this wine: 93 Points
Cracked open my last six pack. These have been tucked away in the corner aging gracefully. Dark ruby color. Nose of cherries. Medium finish. Drinking perfectly right now. Some of my last six bottles showed a bit more age in the mouth than this one, but great for the most part. Enjoy now or in the next couple of years to taste nice fruit. EG WineArchitect
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9/3/2010 - taipanli wrote:
Consistent notes from 4 months ago. A great value Priorat with years of life ahead.
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7/17/2010 - WineArchitect Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking great and starting to show its age towards the end of the bottle.
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5/28/2010 - taipanli wrote: 93 Points
Beautiful dark ruby. Luscious long legs. Doesn't reveal too much on the nose but for notes of dark fruit and alcohol. Quite distinctive on the palate with notes of dark fruit and some oak. Quite expansive and bold with acidity and tannins still needing to evolve. Drinks very well today yet will no doubt be even better with time. 50+10+7+18+8=93+
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4/10/2010 - prakashkrishnan wrote: 95 Points
Drinking beautifully. Can this possibly get better. I don't know if I can wait to drink.
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4/7/2010 - WineArchitect Likes this wine: 95 Points
This wine is drinking superb right now. It still has a dark ruby color that is leaning slightly lighter. The bouquet is still a bit constrained but reveals earthy terroir, tobacco and black cherry. In the mouth, the wine explodes with black cherry fruit flavors that fill the mouth. Tannins are soft and there is a 30 second finish. EG
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3/18/2010 - WineArchitect wrote: 96 Points
This baby is finally where it should be to begin showing it's true colors and flavors. I have waited patiently and only now wish I had two cases more! Dark inky ruby with intense fruit flavor and blackberry roundness in the mouth. EG
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2/7/2010 - edjBoca wrote: 94 Points
Mature, smooth complex and long. Great! ....enjoyed by all. This is drinking at prime and will last another 3-5 years like this IMO.
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1/24/2010 - prakashkrishnan wrote: 94 Points
Had it family watching the AFC championship game. Nose is cherry and black fruit. First sip is loaded with dark chocolate and cherry on the palate. Slight oak remains and finish is extremely long. Loved it. Will continue to get better.
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1/17/2010 - collinb227 wrote: 95 Points
NOSE: capers, lilacs
PALATE: bananana, plum, black cherry koolaid
FINISH: long, long finish
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1/11/2010 - WineArchitect wrote: 92 Points
Nine years of cellar age have turned this into a wonderful and approachable bottle of Priorat wine. The nose is loaded with black cherry and red berry flavors with notes of cocoa and earth. The color is a medium to dark ruby with no signs of thinning on the edge. The cabernet flavor coats your mouth and leaves a full and fruity taste with soft, dusty integrated tannins. This wine is drinking excellent right now. EG
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1/8/2010 - soyhead wrote: 92 Points
Prima Priorato; 1/7/2010-1/8/2010: nose - sweet red fruit
mouth - cocoa, red fruit, fruit punch, smooth, well integrated tannins, grew on me considerably throughout the course of the evening
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8/4/2009 - Cheryl wrote:
First Tuesday of the Month - Bring What You Want (Lenny's Home, NYC): Ok. Big.
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5/23/2009 - dougsmith wrote: 93 Points
Deep ruby rim, black center. Brilliantly focused blackberry essence on the nose with elements of black tea. Full bodied on the palate with fine structure, a touch of cocoa. Long finish.
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2/23/2009 - Zweder wrote: 92 Points
Occasional tasting group: Extensive Top Spain tasting. (@ PVa): Soft and friendly somewhat sweet bouquet. Same for the taste. It is all so smooth, but also complex. Beautiful now and no hurry.
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4/14/2008 - jeff nowak wrote: 83 Points
14.5% alcohol. 50% carignan, 35% merlot, 15% cabernet sauvignon. decanted. reading all the 90+ reviews makes me both laugh...and puke. this wine is a poster child for spoofilation. an over extracted, over oaked pile of dung. i'd rather drink quilceda creek.
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2/7/2008 - LoireFan wrote: 92 Points
You think this wine is going to be BIG, but it's not and very well balanced.
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9/28/2007 - LoireFan wrote: 91 Points
Not as good as the last time, but still quite good. I'm wondering if it will start improving again.
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6/12/2007 - MRichman wrote:
Spanish offline (Kaleidoscope restaurant, NYC): Sweet, big, juicy. Sweet baking spices. Espresso bean. Very nice.
B++
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2/18/2007 - trankin wrote: 92 Points
An evening in Tucson: Serious smoke and some spice on the nose. On the palate, this is dark, rich, tight, and spicy. Very nice wine but OH so young. Needs many more years. 92 today, will clearly improve.
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1/6/2007 - jkoenen wrote: 96 Points
Bordeaux 1989 (and the rest...) @ Peter V. (Netherlands): This is really super. It contains all the brutal power and concentration of the other top of the bill Spaniards in 2001. BUT...., there's some subtle elegance and grace peaking through the heavy velvety curtains. Finally, I picked up some refinement! 19/20
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1/5/2007 - Haggis wrote: 96 Points
Brought to a dinner with some wine friends (pyang, brettay, mrs. brettay) and family in Napa over the holidays. Uncorked about 2 hrs prior to dinner at N.V., but not decanted. Holy cow...an amazing aroma of dark fruit, warm garden soil, anise, and classy oak. On the palate, cherry, black pepper, currant. This is a killer and who would guess (no one at dinner did) that this is largely grenache (oops, garnacha...it's Spanish) based. This just continued to evolve over the next two hours. Fantastic. Wish I had more...bummer.
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12/20/2006 - Nanda wrote: 94 Points
Priorat Vertical / Horizontal (Rios d' Sudamerica - Chicago, IL): 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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10/21/2006 - winefool wrote: 94 Points
WS California Wine Experience Spanish Tasting (San Francisco Marriott): Full opaque black/red. Forward acidic spicy red fruit nose. Big bold sweet jammy blackberry/blueberry fruit with cinnamon and spice. Very nice.
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8/24/2006 - RSheldon wrote: 96 Points
Wonderful dark berries (not heavy), with lots of sage and herbs in the background. Notions of flowers on the nose. Violets on the finish. Elegant.
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8/5/2006 - DdB wrote: 94 Points
Drinking real well right now with 1-2 hrs decant (watch the sediment). Nice intensity, balance and a bit of complexity. Will hold remaining bottle for 1-2 years. Why couldn't the '99 drink like this?
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7/15/2006 - wineismylife wrote: 94 Points
anthonyiezzi Birthday Dinnner (Tre Vigne, Basking Ridge, NJ): WIML94,WA96,WS95
Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Titan Cabernet glass. Purple to dark purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of allspice, dried herbs, a floral element, some blackberries and kirsch. Still a little tight on the nose in my opinion. Could probably improve with time. Flavors of red berries, red currants and some cherries. Once again, a little “closed” on the palate, not giving away a lot quite as yet. Medium acidity, firm yet integrated tannins. Medium bodied. Definitely hold for at least 3-4 years before tasting again. No value recommendation.
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6/9/2006 - Mlermontov wrote: 92 Points
Priorat (or Roy at Il Corso!) (il corso): lighter, more mature? or more subdued nose, new world pallate, with sweeter fruit and a bit less acidity than 2000. fun wine but not my style.would have wished for better balance.
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12/26/2005 - begeth wrote: 95 Points
A wine that shows what proirat is all about. Great drinking now ! Opened it among california fans and did not tell them what it was. They were all in love with it.
Let breath for 1 hour.
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7/5/2005 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
Rhone & Spain Dinner: Blind 5 - Nose of pepper, cedar, balsa wood, caramel, "melted licorice" and a little sweet oak. Sweet attack of dark fruit. Medium-bodied with late acidity. Pretty good stuff.
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4/22/2005 - dougsmith wrote: 93 Points
Drank after 2 1/2 hours of decanting. Purple at the rim, deep black center. The first whiff was of violets and smoke. But with time in the glass the nose resolved itself to an intense smell of ripe plums and blackberries, smoky oak and spices (nutmeg). On the palate it showed silky tannins with black pepper, black fruits and a long spicy finish. Pronounced acids balanced the high fruit.
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3/15/2005 - Eric wrote: 94 Points
Dinner at Harvest Vine (Seattle, WA, USA): Mmm, a dense, almost smoldering nose of mineral, cranberry, and leather. Just popped and poured without decanting, this was reticent and compact at first, but after three hours this really started to sing. The highlight was an amazing attack, as this sweeps across the palate with amazing depth, precision and minerality. The balance here is impeccable, and this is sneaky long with dusty tannins that you feel on your front teeth about a minute afte a sip. This still seems fairly closed and will likely be much better with a lot more decanting or a number of years. Lovely, lovely Priorato!
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11/20/2004 - brian a wrote: 94 Points
Decanted 3 hours in advance. Wow, this nicely extracted wine offers complex aromas of plums, dark fruits, an espresso and vanilla oak component, and a little bit of scorched earth. Still very tannic in mouth but with a nice balance and a long smooth finish. I will let my other one rest for a while.
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3/24/2004 - RSheldon wrote:
FROM John @ Prima Vini -
"60% Carinena with the remainder made from Cabernet and Merlot. Cool-sleek and very sexy. Knock-out crushed berry-hot tar, violet nose. Mid-weight, elegant and polished with nice acidity and supple, ripe tannin. Not too much oak. Truffles, licorice, black raspberries, kirsch and an endless finish. Obviously New World, but who cares. Could last 20 years too. ***** [out of five stars]"
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