Garnarcha Blend
Mas d’en Gil ‘Clos Fonta’ 2001
I’ve been a big fan of Priorat in the past, but the price rises over the past couple of vintages have pushed these wines into a whole new price bracket. Plus they can be challenging, confronting wines that are more for the head than the heart. That doesn’t sound like fun, does it? Well, maybe in a fetish kind of way. Actually, the cheaper wines can be much more enjoyable than ultra expensive ones. At times I think you get much better value over the other side of the Iberian Peninsula in the Douro Valley.
Of course, as soon as I take such a bold position this wine turns up on the tasting bench. It’s $150 a bottle, which is by no means cheap, but it’s a spanking, complex wine that is worth the money if you like you’re into wine from Priorat. This is clearly up there with the top wines of the very good 2001 vintage and is drinking really well right now.
A classic Priorat nose of soot, hot rocks, raspberry, cherry pie, plum and bramble. Its a pleasure in the mouth, its well integrated and shows superior balance. Subtle tannins towards the finish and none of the heat that you can find in some Priorats, but it does weigh in at 15%. The palate shows plenty of minerals with some clove, raspberry and plum, cola, hot cinnamon and musk sticks. There’s enough here to restore my faith, its a little wild but that’s the point. 94 Pts.
Source: Broadway Liquor Distributors Price: $150 Closure: Conventional Cork
Web: www.masdengil.com
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“At times I think you get much better value over the other side of the Iberian Peninsula in the Douro Valley.” - Indeed.
Dave, I’ve just return from the annual trip to Douro (and Torto and Corgo), visiting Castro, Vallado, Roriz, Noval and several others… In vallado I saw a huge shipment to Australia for “The Spanish Acquisition “
I thought you might like that
But its true, look at something like Meao 2005 V’s Clos Mogador 2005. I’d rather have the Meao for my tastes…
Excellent, I’m just having a look at the photos now. I can’t wait to see the rest. We like Vallado out here
Vale Meão 2005 is great (the 2003 also) and much more elegant than Mogador, no doubt. The best wines of the trip were Vallado Adelaide 2005 (very, very expensive), Quinta de Roriz Reserva 2004 (excellent price) and Quinta do Noval vintage 2004. But be aware of the 07 - they are excellent (Quinta Vale D. Maria, CV, Quinta do Crasto Touriga).
Best regards,
Nuno
Yes, I must get my hands on a bottle of the 05 Meão soon. I love the 04 Noval, but I also think the Cedro is an excellent wine for the price. We don’t get the Adelaide out here, or the Roriz either.
I was hoping for a bit of break from good vintages, but I’ve heard that 07 in the Douro is looking great a couple of times now…
Next time you come to Portugal please try Roriz reserva (one of the best Portuguese reds) or give me call and I may manage a trip to the quinta.
Nuno
I certinally will be trying Roriz and giving you a call when I’m over next!
Planning is underway for the start of next year…