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Friday, February 1, 2013

Priorat Bargains!


2010 Black Slate Porrera...$17.99
From the Black Slate project of Eric Solomon, Philippe Cambie and, in this case, producer Joan Sangenis, the 2010 Black Slate Porrera, a blend of 60% Grenache (60+ years of age) and 40% Carignan (80-year-old vines), is another stunning value from Priorat. Consumers can thank the horrible Spanish economy for the low price of such a high quality wine from this prestigious appellation. Sweet raspberry and black cherry fruit notes intermixed with notions of crushed rocks, spring flowers and a slate-like component are broad, savory, impressively pure, dense and full. This round, generous, opulent red can be consumed over the next decade. There are 2,000 cases available for the American market.
Rated 93/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

2010 Black Slate la Vilella Alta...$18.99

When’s the last time anyone found a Priorat rated over 90 points for under $25 a bottle? A project of acclaimed Rhone Valley winemakers Philippe Cambie and Michel Tardieu from one of Priorat’s nine villages, La Vilella Alta, the 2010 Black Slate was fashioned from 60% Garnacha, 35% Carignan and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 12 months in French oak, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Notes of graphite, blueberry liqueur, raspberries, crushed rocks and spring flowers jump from the glass of this inky/purple-colored wine. It possesses fabulous intensity, a multidimensional mouthfeel, supple tannins and a long finish. The natural alcohol pushes 16%, and there are 1,000 cases exported to the United States. It should keep for 5-10+ years. Priorat wines such as this normally sell for over $100 a bottle.
Rated 94/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

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