We kicked things off at Alvaro Palacios in Gratallops. Alvaro has been one of the figures that put Priorat back on the international wine map. And tasting his wines, I can see why. His Carinena/Garnacha blends are to die for: silky, elegant, refreshing, minerally, blackberry, red cherry fruit…(I could go on but I won’t). Unfortunately wines to try before you die, come at a price. Apparently Alvaro and Pingus’s owner Peter Sisseck are having a competition who can make the most expensive Spanish wine. In the UK, the wines are available at BBR. Try his ‘entry-level’ Camins if you can get hold of it. Although his Finca Dofi is good, it’s a very modern, international style of wine and not really representative of his top wines like L’Ermita (a cool £356.52 per bottle from BBR) and Gratallops.
Having had my faith restored by Alvaro, other unexpected highlights of the day included a fleeting visit to Barbara Fores winery in Terra Alta. The region is in southern Catalonia, behind an impressive coastal range which, thankfully, separate it from the tower blocks of seaside resort Salou. Without the backing of an illustrious name like Priorat, its wines are thankfully a little kinder on your wallet. Nevertheless, I gave its 2005 Coma d’en Pou, a blend of Garnacha, Cabernet and Syrah an impressive 18.5/20. Unfortunately the D.O Terra Alta generic tasting was less impressive but Barbara Fores shows the region has massive potential.
More later on Montsant but have to dash off to Conca de Barbera now for another marathon day…
