La Baixada 2018
DOCa Priorat, Álvaro Palacios
Description
This single vineyard wine from La Baixada – a "Vinya Classificada" in the Burgundian sense of a Premier Cru – is pure sensuality from practically pure Garnacha (98%). Energetic, juicy, fresh and at the same time sensually soft, fragrant and charming, carried by finest tannins and a mineral backbone. According to Álvaro, La Baixada is best admired and enjoyed as a soloist without food accompaniment.
Álvaro Palacios «Winemaker of the Year 2022»
Congratulations to Álvaro Palacios for the title of «Winemaker of the Year 2022», awarded by the renowned wine critic MW Tim Atkin. Álvaro Palacios is one of the most important and talented winemakers in Spain and has achieved cult status with his wines from Rioja, Bierzo and Priorat.
Attributes
| Origin: | Spain / Catalunya / Priorato |
| Grape variety: | Garnacha |
| Ripening potential: | 10 to 30 years |
| Drinking temperature: | 16 to 18 °C |
| Vinification: | fermentation in wooden barrel, fully destemmed |
| Harvest: | hand-picking, strict selection |
| Maturation: | in large wooden barrel/foudre |
| Bottling: | no filtration |
| Maturation duration: | 15 months |
| Volume: | 14.5 % |
| Note: | Contains sulphites |
Garnacha
Grenache seldom comes alone
Spaniards and Sardinians make the Grenache contentious: both claim it originated from their country. In fact, it had already appeared in both places by the 16th century. But a large number of mutations in Spain indicates that it has deeper roots on the Iberian Peninsula. The Grenache is meaty, rich in tannins and spicy, with a wonderful, fruity sweetness and rich aromas of blackberry, cassis, plums and pepper. Under the name Garnacha, it contributes fullness to the Rioja. In Sardinia it is called Cannonau, where it yields strong, expressive wines. But its stronghold is in France. Grenache is the star in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and streams into many other assemblages from the south. Its preferred partners are Syrah and Mourvèdre. This blend is also very popular abroad. In Australia, these wines are simply called "GSM".
Priorato
Priorat: Vergessen, wiederentdeckt, gefeiert…
Noch anfangs der 80er Jahre war das Priorat eine durch die Abwanderung geschwächte Problemregion. Dann entdeckten vier junge Winzer den verlassenen Talkessel, der nur eine Autostunde von der katalonischen Mittelmeerküste entfernt liegt, und begannen mit der Restauration der alten Rebanlagen. Heute sind die Priorat-Weine, die meistens von den alteingesessenen Sorten Garnacha und Cariñena geprägt werden, weltweit gefragt. Dank der spektakulären Renaissance der Priorat-Weine erlebt die ganze Region einen Aufschwung.
Spain
Spain – Variety and perfection
“Somewhere in la Mancha, in a place whose name I do not care to remember...,” begins Don Quixote's odyssey.
The most famous part is definitely when Don Quixote thinks windmills are his enemy and wants to fight them – until they nearly kill him. It’s possible there was a bit too much of the La Mancha wine at play. Spanish vines fight for their survival in rugged landscapes, battling fierce drought and rough soils. But they fight well.
