Vanessa

9.3

This is a stunning Garnatxa blend from Priorat (Catalonia), Spain!!

It’s comprised of mostly Garnatxa (Grenache), along with Syrah, and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from three parcels in the sun-soaked village of Gratallops, where Daphne Glorian purchased her first vineyard – Clos Escales – back in 1989 when she founded Clos i Terraces. 🍇

In making this move, she joined equally passionate and pioneering winemakers Álvaro Palacios (L’Ermita) and René Barbier (Clos Mogador) in a rebirth of production practices in the region; as a group (with other similar-minded producers) they altered the trajectory of Priorat’s profile as a source of tip top quality wines rivaling the best on the world stage. 👏🏻

Priorat is one of only two regions carrying the “DOCa” / “DOQ” quality designation (the other is Rioja), subject to various stipulations including regular auditing by a tasting panel. ✅

This particular wine is “Laurel” which is Clos i Terraces’s second wine, next to Clos Erasmus, one of Priorat’s finest and most sought-after wines. Yet it tastes like a flagship wine in and of itself.🫶🏻🫶🏻

It is absolutely beautiful, with a medium ruby hue, medium (+) intensity of ripe and fresh strawberry, red cherry, red plum, violet, black licorice, fennel, clove, baking spice aromas and flavors. It’s dry, with medium(+) acidity, a medium(+) body, high alcohol (14% ABV), and medium tannins that are fine-grained. 😆

This wine vinified and aged in a combination of vessels, including, large oak vats, concrete tanks, second and third fill French oak barrels, and clay amphorae, lending to its texture and complexity.👌🏻👌🏻
— 3 days ago

Paul J

9.0

PnP. Better than expected. Lacked depth and fruit but the dark fruit that did show through was refined and had a great texture. Still massively overpriced. — 5 months ago

with Brooke

Paul J

9.3

PnP. Dark cherries, chocolate, and cedar on the nose. Similar on the palate with decent alcohol. A little stringy but very nice. — 14 days ago

with Brooke

Paul J

9.6

This was great! 1hr+ decant. Dark red color. Dark fruit and rustic elements on the nose. Palate reminded me of all those great Bordeaux’s we had with dinners in London! Medium plus depth and medium finish, that had a high quality taste to it. Awesome!

Similar to my 7/3/22 note. — 4 months ago

with Brooke

Paul J

9.1

1hr+ decant. Dark red color. Nice nose of cedar, dark cherries, and earth. Went downhill from there. Bigger tannins than expected with a tartness that overwhelmed. Minimal fruit and little depth with a near zero finish. Wasn’t over the hill, but just not up to expectations. — 5 months ago

with Brooke

Jonathan Wall

9.5

Really? Wow. At 26 years old, not only hanging in there… but highly enjoyable. The mustiness had to blow off for a while, and then it hit its stride. Some toasty fruit remains in front of a long finish. cheers to ending 2023. …. Still going. Finish still going…. Going… — 6 months ago

Henry Fuseler

9.0

4/2024. Good flavor of fruit, smooth and a nice finish. Paired well with the filet at Hall’s Chophouse. — 2 months ago

Mark Mannebach

8.9

Pear and wet stone tones. Good acidity and lasting finish — 4 months ago

Mark S.

9.0

Violet, still young color. Oak black currant. Traditional elegancy. Balanced tannin and spiciness. Coffee. Sequoia Grove Rutherford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 18 @14800, Pieroth, 240203-240420
That’s US CS. A bit traditional French style. Complexity. @13365, Pieroth, 231117 — 5 months ago

Chris M

9.3

Pleasantly surprised at how good this blend was considering the lower price point! The Zinfandel is the strongest taste I’m getting with strong cherry and tart tastes along with more subtle hints of cinnamon on some sips. An excellent wine with meat and greet on its own. Had NYE at Allora with Arancini, burrata and roasted peppers and braised beef with and without pasta. — 6 months ago