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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Alvaro Palacios Vi de Vila Gratallopstext
93POINTS
17¼/20

Alvaro Palacios Vi de Vila Gratallops 2014

Priorato, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainIt’s just under 30 years since Alvaro Palacios arrived in Gratallops, at the time an obscure town in an obscure region of the international wine world. Today it’s home to one of Spain’s top wines and a region well established among the hierarchy of fine wine regions. Palacios was charmed by the geography and the geology (steep slate slopes) of what he calls a mystical region. Vines date back to the 6th Century and the Carthusian monastery of Escaladei. Parts of his estate surrounding L’Ermita, Finca Dofí, encroach on the village Gratallops. Here under the bright Mediterranean light the old vine garnacha and samsó (carignan) bathe in more than 4,000 hours of sun a year and receive very little rain. Vi de Gratallops was the first village location recognised by name; today there are nine DOQ Priorat villages in all. The ’14 Gratallops is mix of village fruit along with parts of L’Ermita and Dofi. It is an 80/20 split of garnacha and samsó and it opens with a mineral, floral, dust storm. The tannins are exquisitely worn, the textures soft. The flavours are conservative red and black fruits with spice all over a smoky, savoury undercurrent. Simply complex. Real wine.Tasted: 22 March 2018Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:
AB$1000.00750mlspecialty listing
QC$620.00750ml 
Producer: Alvaro PalaciosDistributors: International Cellars Inc.
Blend: Garnacha - Cabernet SauvignonCSPC: 51967UPC: 08429073017326