I bought this as a taster a few years ago; time to try it. Plums and spice, minerals and river stones, mixed with a touch of black pepper. A simple palate: raspberries and plums, with a sprinkle of spice and a tangy finish. The tannins are soft. This wine has barbeque written all over it. Drink now.
Rated : 86 Points
Tasted : Jul09
Alcohol : 13%
Price : $19
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2009-2010
Source : Cellar
If you only like positive and uplifting reviews, then look away now.
Like removing a band-aid, I will try to keep this short. A bright red in colour, but an almost vicious nose: pine resin, acetone and old leather. A lightly bodied palate, with thin cherry liqueur and old wood spirit, some rancio characters and a feral edge, finishing with pine needles and then an anti-septic aftertaste. Only purchased 3 years ago so I am surprised this wine is over the hill already; perhaps it was stuffed before it got to me. Hopefully not an indicative bottle.
Rated : 79 Points
Tasted : Jul09
Alcohol : 15%
Price : $55
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2009-2009
Source : Cellar
Website : Telmo Rodriguez
Initially, showed a touch of garrigue, blackberries, dried herbs, black peppercorns and toasted nuts. The palate showed bright berries, cinnamon quill, dried herbs and dried spices, raspberry cordial and red plums. Then it completely changed, and for the next couple of hours it was confected and sickly, and I was very displeased with it. After three hours it had settled down. Black peppercorns, mushrooms, black fruits and a hint of dried herbs. On the palate, savoury red fruits, hard spices and some savoury dryness. Quite a nice wine, and though I think it needs a small decant now, I think it is for short term drinking only.
Rated : 85 Points
Tasted : Jul09
Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : $18
Closure : Diam
Drink : 2010-2013
Source : Cellar Door
Website : Boireann
Again, a confected nose, with liquorice and caramel allsorts, cherry fruits, warm spices, blueberries and cinnamon. There are also sweet fruits on the palate, cuddly, with Christmas spices, and a warming finish. Pleasant tannins. Overnight it held its line, broadening a touch and softening. A nice wine.
Rated : 87 Points
Tasted : Jun09
Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : $22
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2009-2012
Source : Cellar
Website : Tim Adams
A blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mataro and 10% Shiraz. Aged in seasoned oak. A terrific nose, showing warm spices and black fruits, blackberries and ripe mulberries, with a touch of earth. The palate is juicy, with mulberries and plums, Christmas spices and a touch of savoury meatiness. The tannins are fine and slinky. Very classy and very satisfying. Drink over the next 5 years or so.
Rated : 92 Points
Tasted : Jun09
Alcohol :14.5%
Price : $30
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2009-2016
Source : Cellar
Website : Teusner
Made by Andre Brunel of Les Cailloux and Laurence Feraud of Pegau. A blend of 80% Grenache, 12% Mourvedre and 8% of Cinsault and Vaccarese. The average age of the vines is 40 years. Mossy stones and pureed tomatoes, cherries and raspberries, and dried herbs. No pepper or spices, which is odd indeed. The palate is full and fleshy, cherries and savoury stoney notes. Medium bodied, with lovely fruit tannins. Strangely missing the white pepper and gamey notes that I have enjoyed in previous bottles. And to be honest, I have seen this looking much better than this, and as high as 93 points. Drink up methinks.
Rated : 88 Points
Tasted : Jun09
Alcohol : 14%
Price : $55
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2009-2011
Source : Cellar
One from the cellar, and originally from the auction I think. And it was cheap, well cheap for a Southern Rhone. A stinky nose, which does happen quite often with some Rhones but this didn’t dissipate, that was combined with cherries, raspberries, a spadeful of gravel and some dried herbs. Light to medium bodied. Quite pleasant, but also quite rustic. The finish is quite dry with a touch of nail polish, not that I drink it often. During the evening the fruit disappeared, only to mysteriously reappear later; very odd really, and it would be best to get pissed so you don’t notice the wine vacillating like this. Regardless, a wine to be drunk as soon as possible; no more cellaring required.
Rated : 85 Points
Tasted : May09
Alcohol : 14%
Price : $25
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2009-2009
Source : Cellar
A blend of blend of 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 5% Carignan. An attractive nose, showing raspberry and black cherries, minerals and some garrigue, and a touch of confection. The palate is light and breezy, fruity and cheerful, cherries and spice with a savoury and minerally edge. Soft and ripe tannins. Drink over the next 5 years.
Rated : 88 Points
Tasted : May09
Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : $33
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2009-2014
Source : Wine Emporium
Website : Domaine Charvin
In general, I am not a great fan of this marque, but I quite enjoyed this one. Floral, black fruit, warm tar, liquorice, some confection, earthy and spicy too. The palate showed soft tannins, red fruits, plums and olives, raspberries, a touch of acid on the finish. Very pleasant and really quite complex. Very good value too.
Rated : 90 Points
Tasted : May09
Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : $18
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2010-2014
Source : Dan Murphys
Website : d’Arenberg
I was told recently that Priorat doesn’t age well. This pronouncement has been gnawing at my conscience as I have been trying to drink some of the older wines from the cellar, and when I saw this it was quickly removed from the racks. The nose is still quite big, plump blackberries and minerals, some old liqueur characters, and slightly porty. The palate has some black fruits and spice, the softest tannins but the finish is perhaps a little on the broad side, and there are lingering notes of port again. Hmmmm. Quite satisfying, and drink up is my call.
Tasted : Apr09
Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : $50ish
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2009-2010
Source : Cellar