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

Cabernet Sauvignon

The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is probably the most popular grape in the world. It is a cross between the Cabernet Franc grape and the Sauvignon Blanc grape. It is prized for its consistent structure and flavors and its ease of cultivation.

The most popular and prized Cabernets come from the Bordeaux region of France and the Stag's Leap district of California. This varietal also has flavors based on the Old World Style and the New World Style.

Cabernet Sauvignon Old World style flavor prophile: Herbs, earth, cassis, red/black currant, mocha, cedar scented, tobacco, black peppercorn, strong tannins.

Cabernet Sauvignon New World style flavor profile: Fruit driven, cherries, cassis, milk chocolate, oak scented, vanilla, eucalyptus or mint, strong tannins.

New world Cabs are produced and bottle for nearly immediate consumption. Old world Cabs are produced for bottled aging, although the wine drinkers of the world are buying wines that they can consume immediately. The old world wine producers have responded to the demand and it is now more difficult to differentiate the Old and New world Cabs.

My current favorite Cabs actually come from Washington State's Columbia Valley. They are a mix of both the New world and Old world flavors: Cassis, cedar, vanilla and medium tannins. Give the Cab from the Barnard Griffin winery a try some time.

-H