2020 Gratallops Vi de Vila, Álvaro Palacios, Priorat, Spain
OVERVIEW
An archetypal Priorat from the grand master; Álvaro Palacios. Formed from a blend of Garnatxa (Grenache) and Carinyena (Carignan) from low yielding vines this has to be one of the most balanced and stylish Priorats of the year.
From a great vintage, this may be the best Gratallops Vi de Vila produced in the history of the winery. Always terrific value, this year the Gratallops has reached a whole new level. Simply delicious and poetically balanced with a nose bursting with fig and plums and all manner of spiced dark fruits. A must try Priorat.
CRITIC REVIEWS (2018 Vintage)
The vi de vila or village wine, the 2018 Gratallops is a blend of 74% Garnacha, 25% Cariñena and 1% white varieties that were crushed and destemmed and then fermented in oak vats with indigenous yeasts. The wine matured in oak containers of different sizes, bocoyes and oval foudres, for 15 months. This is the most approachable and open of the 2018s; it's aromatic and has the characterful profile of wet slate, nuts, Mediterranean herbs and acid berries. It has a lively palate with great acidity but especially with complete but sustained freshness. It has fine tannins and is nicely textured. Textbook Priorat. 18,740 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2020. 94 Points. The Wine Advocate
Bright ruby. Intensely perfumed, mineral-tinged red berry, cherry pit and potpourri qualities on the nose, along with a spicy element that builds with air. Juicy, penetrating and appealingly sweet, offering sappy, mineral-tinged cherry and boysenberry flavors and a touch of licorice pastille. Smooth, slow-building tannins shape the persistent finish, which features a resonating floral note. 94 Points. Vinous
FOOD PAIRING INSPIRATION
Priorat wines are blockbusters and in youth can be highly tannic and alcoholic, we recommend pairing this wine with beef or game to balance out those tannins.
VINTAGE AND WINEMAKING
Low rainfall in the early part of the growing season and searing heat in June and July caused some worry about drought, however, the rest of the summer proved slow and steady and the vines avoided over-stress thanks to light rains in September. The Garnacha grapes did particularly well in 2019.
Gratallops is a blend of 74% Garnacha, 25% Cariñena and 1% white varieties that were crushed and destemmed and then fermented in oak vats with indigenous yeasts. The wine matured in oak containers of different sizes, bocoyes and oval foudres, for 15 months
PRODUCER NOTES
With two years at Petrus under his belt, Alvaro Palacios set up his own winery in the emerging Priorat DO in 1989. Determined to try to emulate the techniques of Petrus in his homeland, nothing was too much viticulturally trouble for Alvaro who employed low yielding vines and modern winemaking techniques.
Thirty years later there are several award winning wines from Alvaro Palacios, the most famous being the L'Ermita but the best value for money being the Gratallops Vi de Vila.
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SERVICE AND STORAGE TIPS
We recommend this wine undergoes at least 2 hours decanting and should be ideally stored around 12°C and served at room temperature.
DELIVERY INFORMATION
Delivery is free when you spend over £150. For orders under this amount then a £9.99 delivery charge will be applied.
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2019 Gratallops Vi de Vila, Álvaro Palacios, Priorat, Spain
Wine Card | |
Wine Producer | Álvaro Palacios |
Wine Region | Priorat |
Wine Classification | Priorat DOQ |
Wine Type | Red |
Grape Variety | Garnacha |
Vintage | 2020 |
Vintage Quality | Excellent - Outstanding - Parker |
Maturity | Drink Today but Will Improve |
Body | Full Bodied |
Sweetness | Dry |
Alcohol % | 14.5% |
Bottle Type | Bordeaux 75cl |
Serving Temperature | 16-18°C |
Food Pairing | Game, Beed |
Awards | 95 Points - Guia Penin |
94 Points - Robert Parker | |
94 Points - James Suckling |
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