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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Alvaro Palacios L'Ermitatext
98POINTS
19¼/20

Alvaro Palacios L'Ermita 2015

Priorato, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainÁlvaro Palacios’ three wineries reside in the historical Spanish wine regions of Rioja, Priorat and Bierzo. Each property features a unique geography and climate that reflects the centuries-old culture of the vineyard, revealing what Alvaro likes to call “mystical traits from the past.” The vineyards are situated near monasteries, chapels and pilgrimage routes linking them to a spirituality of the past. It’s imperative to Alvaro that his wines be transparent, as in able to transmit the historical and cultural pulse of the region, as well as the ever-important altitudes, orientations, the rocks, the steep slopes and the light. In short, the living elements and integral identity of each wine’s origin. When Palacios arrived in Priorat in the 1980s he purchased the single vineyard Finca Dofi, and planted it himself in 1992; in 1993 he bought the 1.1 ha ‘L’Ermita’ single vineyard, at the time planted to the oldest vines of a local garnacha clone in the region. The ’15 blend is a 95/4/1 mix of garnacha, cariñena and one percent indigenous white grapes said to be pedro ximenez, macabeo and garnacha gris. By now you recognise the smoky stony mineral red fruit nose. The palate is a mix of cherries, red currants flecked with exotic orange peel notes. A Priorat red is often characterized as big, and powerful but L’Ermita is all about nuance, finesse and refinement.Tasted: 22 March 2018Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:
AB$1000.00750mlspecialty listing
QC$1313.50750mlSAQ
Producer: Alvaro PalaciosDistributors: International Cellars Inc.
Blend: Garnacha - Cabernet Sauvignon