Alvaro Palacios, Priorat (Spain) 2010

Alvaro Palacios is one of the stars of Priorat, an area in Catalonia that he helped reinvigorate in the early 1990s.  Don’t be put off that Palacios refers to Les Terrasses his “third wine” behind Finca Dofi ($75) and super prized L’Ermita ($700).  It’s terrific and well priced for what it is—long and beautifully proportioned. It delivers so much more than just fruits flavors because of the slate soil of Priorat. There’s an alluring dense mineral component.  A splendid blend of mainly old vine, hence the VV, Cariñena (60%) and Garnacha (30%) with a small about of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, it carries its 14.5% stated alcohol seamlessly.  If you want to discover the enchantment of Priorat, start here.