This low yield, arid, mountainous region consists of 3700 hectares on paper, but in reality perhaps 1200 are cultivated. It is situated to the west of Tarragona and is famed for its robust, unoaked reds usually made from a blend of Garnacha and Cariñena grown on steep slopes and terraces at heights of up to 700 metres in the foothills of the Montsant.
A little white is also made from the powerful Garnacha Blanca variety.
Under D.O. rules, the minimum strength in Priorato must be 13.5%.
Fortunately or unfortunately, thanks to the pioneering efforts of a small group of oenologists primarily from Tarragona University and headed by José Luis Pérez, Priorato is all set to become the new Ribera del Duero. Starting with a project called 'Costers del Siurana', the group - which also included Carles Pastrana, René Barbier Jr., and Álvaro Palacios - produced a number of spectacular, limited production and decidedly non-rural wines under a common roof in the late 1980s, and have since spread their wings individually.
The concentration of these offerings not to mention their immediacy, judicious use of oak and grape varieties alien to the region - mainly Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon - attracted the attention of Robert Mondavi and more significantly Robert Parker.
As a result, a host of outsiders - albeit mainly Catalans - from Torres to Pedro Rovira to singer Luis Lach - have recently bought land or are in the process of putting together new projects in the area.
Bouquet: Vivid aromas of bright red fruits and agreeable smokey overtones
Palate: Plenty of depth of fruit interwoven with vanilla
Drink with red meats, game and medium mature cheeses.
This is a classy Priorato, with plenty of grip which displays none of the tarry/dried fruit characteristics that often emerge from Priorato.
Price: £25.54 Including VAT at 17.5%
Colour: Dark, inky maroon/purple
Bouquet: Fine, gently smokey , integrated aromas of black fruits and spice.
Palate: Elusive, tingly purple fruits, spice and intense French Oak undertone
Drink with Casseroles, venison, pheasant or very mature cheeses including stilton.
This is a big wine but more refined in style than its sister wine - Amadis.
Drink now or cellar for short term.
Price: £35.76 Including VAT at 17.5%
95/100 The Wine Advocate
Price: £44.96 Including VAT at 17.5%
The philosophy of the winery is based on an exhaustive study of the grapes grown in the different parts of the estate. Small batches of wine from each vineyard are produced individually in small tanks so as to associate the type of wine with its place of origin. The different wines are then taken to the underground ageing cellar where they are individually aged in French oak until they are ready for the preparation of the cuvée. This is determined by tasting the wine and is followed by the bottling process.
It features aromas of red forest fruits, balsamic notes and mineral sensations which are well integrated with aspects of cask-ageing. It is marked by the characteristics of Priorat soil - slate/schist .
Priorat Trophy - International Wine Challenge 2005
Price: £45.00 Including VAT at 17.5%
