Priorat

Priorat is a small wine region, just south-west of Barcelona in Spain. It only covers around 5,000 acres, and the terrain is rugged and mountainous. The main varietals used here are Grenache, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot. The warm climate suits those grapes well, just like it does here, in Paso Robles.

Predicat

The blend of grapes in this wine caught my attention. It’s made with Grenache, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, and spends 10 months in French oak barrels. Alcohol is 14.5% ABV.

Tasting notes

Medium garnet red colour, with hints of ruby.

Medium intensity nose, displaying ripe red berry fruit. Opens up, revealing some aromas of cured meat, smoke, and graphite. The fruit remains prominent though.

Youthful, medium tannin hits up front and stays throughout.

Medium acidity and weight, but manages to fill the palate well.

Flavours on the palate have a nice intensity and seem layered, offering up ripe red cherry, redcurrant and raspberry. There are elements of pepper spice and darker fruit too.

The fruit and tannin last very well, giving a pleasant mouthfeel and finish.

Conclusion

This is the first Priorat wine I’ve tasted, and it’s made me want to try more from this part of Spain. I’ve always loved the wines of the Rioja region in the north of the country, but this wine has shown me I need to broaden my horizons. It also has me even more eager to get fruit from my own Carignan vines and see what I can do with it.

I bought two bottles of this wine in Bevmo. The regular price was listed as $24.95 but it was part of their 5¢ deal, where a second bottle costs 5 Cents. $15 each seems rather good value for this wine. 

Wine.com also has a selection of Priorat wines.

Darren.