2008 - Clos Erasmus, Priorat

Always a benchmark against which all other Priorats must be measured, the 2008 Clos Erasmus is a great success. It consists of 80% Garnacha, 15% Syrah, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 22 months in new French oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color with an already complex bouquet of mineral, pain grille, Asian spices, tar, tapenade, and black cherry, on the palate it is dense, rich, and full-bodied with an elegance belying its size. Layered and opulent, it conceals enough structure to evolve for 6-8 years. It will deliver a drinking window extending from 2016 to 2028, perhaps longer. It is a true tour de force! The Clos I Terrasses Laurel cuvee is essentially the second wine of Clos Erasmus. It is sourced from the estate’s younger vines as well as those failing to make the grade for Erasmus based on taste. The result is one of the finest values in the DO of Priorat. The wine consists of 65% Garnacha, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Syrah aged for 16 months in one-year-old barrels. Importer: Eric Solomon Selections, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565

(60% garnacha and 40% syrah) Glass-staining ruby. A wild, highly aromatic bouquet displays raspberry, blackberry, violet and spicecake, with a strong mineral element that gains strength with air. Juicy, penetrating red and dark fruit flavors are given depth by a note of bitter chocolate and include strong mineral spine. The spice and floral notes resonate on a very long, sappy, pure finish. This wine benefits enormously from aeration, but there's no way I'd open a bottle for at least another six years.