Priorat

Priorat is a DOCa wine region in Catalonia, Spain. Their most sought after and popular wines are the inky black reds that can be made from Garnacha (Grenache), Cabernet Sauvignon, Cariñena, Syrah and Merlot. This varietal grows in the region's unique black soils known as llicorella (slate-and-quartzite aka schiste) and steeply terraced vineyards.

The growing conditions are harsh, the yeilds are small and the result is intense, minerally reds with concentrated fruit flavors. The growing conditions have also fostered new wine making practices and many feel these are the best produced wines in Spain. These wines are definitely the most elite and expensive wines in Spain.

I had the opportunity to taste my first Priorat, from Clos Erasmus, for the first time last night. We carry this at The Tasting Room. I have to agree with everything I have learned about the wine from this region. It was the most luscious, concentrated and well balanced wine that I have had in a very long time.

Bibliography:

• EuropeanCellers.com
• CellarTours.com
  

-H

Fetish Wines 2005 Playmates

We just recently brought this wine into our stores. It is a classic French Southern Rhone blend of Grenache, Shiraz, and Mataro but made in the Barossa Valley of Australia. Wait. What? Isn't the Southern Rhone blend Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre? You are absolutely correct!

Mataro is what the Australian's call Mourvedre and Shiraz is what the Australian's call Syrah. This wine is classic New World with the Aussie's love of fruit with a good balance of alcohol and tannins.

A deep hued wine with nice dark berries and cherries, a hint of vanilla, and spice. It has a good mid palate, nice balance, and a lingering finish. All of this along with the wine label definitely makes this a sexy wine. Very nice!

-H