2014 1902 Centenary Carignan
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Poboleda is in the northeast of the appellation, in the Siurana Valley at the foot of the Montsant Mountains, which provides a cooler microclimate with more rain, a longer cycle and later ripening than the southern part of Priorat. 2014 was a mild year complicated by rains in September, which required sorting grapes. This resulted in a 2014 1902 Centenary Carignan with half a point less alcohol than the cool 2013. This 2014 feels exactly like something in between the 2013 and 2015 vintages—with the freshness and tension of 2013 and the power and ripeness closer to 2015. It has a good compromise between power and elegance; it's concentrated but with tension and freshness, lots of tannins but not astringent. A very concentrated but harmonious Cariñena, one of the best in Priorat. Only 864 bottles were filled unfined and unfiltered in April 2016 after 16 months in new French oak barrels.
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Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
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From the oldest Carinyena vines of the estate, planted in 1902, the 2014 1902 comes from a steep hillside vineyard ranging between 350 and 450 meters above sea level. The wine is fermented all in tank and aged in new French oak. Deep purple/opaque colored and offering awesome notes of blueberries, liquid violets, plums, mint, and graphite, this beauty has bright, juicy acidity, gorgeous fruit, fine tannin and a great, great finish. I finished my note on this with “Awesome Wine!” Mas Doix is the project of two related families, the Doix and Llagosteras who farm 19 hectares of vines near the village of Poboleda. They cultivate six vineyards, three of them driving the names of the cuvées at the estate: Crestes, Salanques and Doix. Crestes is the youngest site and is a three-hectare vineyard planted mostly to Garnatxa, which makes up the bulk of the Crestes cuvée. There’s roughly 10% each of Syrah and Cariñena that make it into this cuvée and it’s brought up all in neutral oak. The Salanques vineyard is a steep, three-hectare site located near the village of Poboleda. It consists of 70- to 90-year-old Garnatxa and Carinyena planted at an elevation between 350 and 450 meters above sea level. A small amount of Syrah is also blended into the Salanques cuvée and it sees 12 months in French oak. The Doix Vineyard is the oldest vineyard of the estate and is a steep, natural amphitheater ranging from 350 meters above sea level to 500 meters above sea level. The fractured llicorella soils that dominate the region and the old vines here go back to 1902. The Doix Costers del Vinyes Velles cuvée is roughly equal parts Carinyena and Garnacha and is aged all in new French oak. In addition to the single vineyard cuvées, they also release a 1902 cuvée made from the oldest vines of Carinyena planted in the Doix vineyard. Fermented in tank with a long maceration followed by aging in new French oak barrels, this spectacular wine is one of the top examples of Carinyena in the world. Unfortunately, it’s made in tiny quantities and is almost impossible to find in the marketplace.
100% Carinyena (Carignan) on llicorella soils. 1902 refers to the year of planting, 115-year-old vines are located in the characteristic ‘costers’ of Priorat, elevation ranges between 350 m and 500 m. Organic and very low yields of 200 grams/vine. Hand-picked grapes were selected in the vineyard prior to a second selection on a double sorting table. 100% destemmed, fermentation is carried out in stainless-steel tanks of 1,500–2,000 kg. Maceration lasts 24 days approximately, using a submerged cap system in order to minimise the risk of oxidation and achieve a smoother extraction. Aged in fine-grain new French oak barrels for 14–16 months. No fining, unfiltered. Very limited production to 864 bottles. Tasted blind. Extremely deep on the aromatics, showing never-ending fruit, spice and juicy wild berries. The oak sensation is creamy, almost sweet. What a motivating nose! Delicious and elegant, with weight and class accompanied by an electrifying acidity! Smooth, soft and velvety tannins, a really mouth-coating wine. Outstanding Priorat that is over the top! (FC)