2013 Gratallops
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Tasting notes
A typical Priorat blend of Garnatxa (Grenache) and Carinyena (Carignan) from 10 different plots on llicorella soils. Vines are from 15 to 71 years old, exposures vary according the vineyard, and elevation ranges between 300 m and 450 m. Climate is temperate Mediterranean with a great maritime influence. There was 467 mm of annual rainfall in 2013. Adapted traditional viticulture of Priorat, bush training and horse-ploughed. Yield limited to 7.29 hl/ha. Destemmed grapes were crushed before fermentation took place in wooden vats. Maceration lasted 40 days and malolactic fermentation was conducted in wooden casks called ‘bocois’. Aged for 15 months in ‘bocois’ and foudres. 7,600 bottles. Tasted blind. Textbook Priorat! The perfect combination of fruit and oak. Fresh plums and figs mixed with toast and creaminess. Lush and hedonistic notes. The wine is tight, concentrated but still velvety and savoury. This is already a great wine and has a promising future. (FC)
Critic scores
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Bright violet color. Allspice, anise and woodsmoke aromas complement vibrant red fruits and floral pastille. Juicy, tightly focused raspberry and bitter cherry flavors expand and sweeten with air, as hints of cola and spicecake develop in the glass. The very long finish shows outstanding focus, supple tannins and a lingering floral quality.
Bottled five days before my tasting in mid-February 2015, the 2013 Gratallops, their village wine, is a blend of 85% Garnacha and the rest Cariñena sourced from a number of named plots such as Ermites, La Baixada, Mas d'en Pallarès, Coll del Corral, Obagues, Manyetes, Sorts, Les Planes, Mas d'en Piqué and Carrerada. The grapes were destemmed, lightly pressed and fermented in oak vats with indigenous yeasts. The wine went through malo and 16 months aging in oak barrels. It might be suffering a bit of bottle shock. In this vintage, the Garnacha was so rich that the percentage of Cariñena is lower to maintain the fluidity of the wine. In this vintage I give the edge to Terrasses. 7,100 bottles produced.
Bright, shocking purple. 89% Garnacha, 11% Cinsault (a lower percentage of Cinsault than usual, as the Garnacha was so good in 2013). Extrovert red fruit with a lovely raspberry syrup character. Super quality, and with miraculous acidic freshness on the finish, as well as a slight medicinal aroma. (RH)