2016 Clos Erasmus

I tasted the bottled 2016 Clos Erasmus, because I only tasted an unbottled sample the last time. The oak is showing a little on the nose with some toasty and spicy aromas intermixed with tons of flowers and wild herbs and red rather than black fruit. The palate has pungent, intense flavors, very fine tannins and great length, with a velvety texture. It's fresh and balanced, with all the components to develop nicely in bottle. There is a strong mineral streak in the 2016s (I tasted this next to the 2016 Laurel too), a mixture of graphite, tar and something that I described as diesel-like. 2,500 bottles produced.

Not far off the magical 2013, the 2016 Clos Erasmus shows the purity and freshness of the vintage yet backs it up with rock star depth of fruit and richness. A huge nose of blueberries, crème de cassis, blood orange, and violets give way to a full-bodied Priorat that has flawless balance and purity, a stacked mid-palate, ripe tannins, and a finish that goes on for over a minute. This is pure, elegant, yet powerful Priorat at its finest. The 2016 is a blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah that spent 18 months in 40% new oak. Give bottles 2-3 years, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following 15-20 years.