Costers del Priorat - Clos Alzina 2019
Price: $99.00
| Producer | Costers del Priorat |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Priorat |
| Varietal | Samsó |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Sku | 019208 |
| ABV | 14.50% |
 |
Jose Mas Barberá and his estate, Costers del Priorat, is at the forefront of the evolution of Priorat wines. He produces distinctive wines rooted in the terroir of the Catalan countryside that emphasize elegance over power, a philosophical departure from the strong, tannic wines that once defined the region. Jose employs only organic farming and in a unique twist, most of his plantings are Samsó-based (Carignan). His limited production wines are classified as Velles Vinyes (old vines), with many planted before WWII. This combination of organic farming, old-vine fruit and a deft hand in the cellar allows Jose to achieve the elegance and complexity that make his wines so extraordinary. His Clos Alzina is a stellar example!
The Clos Alzina vineyard — a true grand cru parcel — sits at 600m in the village of Torroja del Priorat. The north-facing site was planted in 1939 with vines rooted in soils comprised of decomposed yellow and red slate on steep, terraced vineyards surrounding the estate’s old masía (farmhouse) which was built in 1839.
Jose’s Clos Alzina — 100% Samsó — is mid-ruby red in color and gorgeously aromatic with ripe, red cherry and cranberry on the nose infused with lilacs and violets. The attack is textured, round and full of bright red fruit highlighted by a remarkable vivacity. The palate is focused: there is a lovely freshness to this Priorat that is supported by a penetrating, ferrous minerality, captivating acidity and present, though extremely well-integrated tannins. The French oak aging does an amazing job of elevating all this wine’s superb qualities without making itself known. The Clos Alzina is big and bold, yet refined, layered and complex. The finish is refreshing, with a minutes-long encore of all those mid-palate flavors. This Priorat is stunning right out of the bottle, but will age gracefully for the next 15+ years.
