During the late 1980's, Alvaro Palacios traveled his native Spain selling French wine barrels and other winemaking supplies. But selling barrels wasn't the only thing on his mind; he was also in search of the best place to achieve his goal of making Spain's greatest red wine. His ultimate decision to settle in Priorat in 1990, was a good one, for here he would achieve worldwide fame with "L'Ermita" and "Finca Dofi."

Priorat l'Ermita
2001 $249.99 SOLD OUT
"The flagship offering, the 2001 l?Ermita, is produced from 60-year old, head-pruned Grenache (85%) vines and 15% old vine Carignan and younger vine Cabernet Sauvignon. Yields were a meager 15 hectoliters per hectare in 2001. This 500-case cuvee, aged in 100% new French oak, represents the essence of Priorat as well as this particular vineyard source. Alvaro Palacios practices malolactic fermentation in barrel, and bottling after an egg white fining and no filtration. The black/purple-colored 2001 boasts an extraordinary aromatic profile of charcoal, blackberries, raspberries, kirsch, melted licorice, and espresso. Full-bodied and unctuously-textured, with sweet tannin and abundant quantities of fruit as well as glycerin, this is a remarkably well-balanced wine of great intensity and formidable aging potential. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020." 96 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #152
"Discreet but nuanced nose hints at black fruits and flowers; quite subdued today. Then explosive in the mouth: huge, suave, deep and layered, with powerful yet somewhat cool black fruit, mineral and graphite flavors. This really expands to fill the mouth. Wonderfully concentrated wine that's not at all heavy. Finishes very broad and rich, with noble tannins and great persistence. Still a baby, and likely to merit an even higher score six or eight years down the road."95(+?) Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 7-8/03
:"Aromatic and alluring, this red shows an elegant style for the region. Blackberry,, vanilla and mineral flavors are fresh and balanced; the tannins are ripe and well integrated. Has intensity and length. Drink now through 2009. 480 cases made." 92 The Wine Spectator 10/15/04
2000 $249.99 SOLD OUT
"Bright medium ruby. An essence of berries on the nose; like a liqueur, with an almost medicinal suggestion of sheer concentration. Superripe and incredibly lush; as thick as this is, there's no heaviness thanks to its penetrating spiciness and solid backbone. Wonderfully perfumed in the mouth. Urgent finishing fruit currently hides the lush tannins. A wine of extraordinary length. 95-98 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 11/12-01
"Polished, with vivid, alluring flavors of blueberry, blackberry and vanilla. Tannins are firm and well integrated and the finish echoes with floral, minty and smoky notes. Best after 2004." 90 The Wine Spectator 11/15/03
1998 $249.99 very limited
"The blockbuster, opaque purple-colored 1998 L'Ermita (the finest since the 1995 and 1994) exhibits a full-bodied personality with copious quantities of sweet oak, a boatload of glycerin, and superb blackberry, cassis, and cherry fruit that explodes on the mid-palate and in the finish. The elevated quantities of new oak should become better integrated as the wine ages over the next 15-20 years. This is an exceptionally impressive/expressive wine." 97 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #136
"Bright ruby-red. Multidimensional nose combines snappy berries and cherry, nut skin, lead pencil, menthol and a floral topnote. Lush and utterly suave, with impressive extract; packed with explosive, mouth-drenching fresh berry flavors; like a dry creme de cassis. Brilliant balancing acidity gives this wine superb clarity and class. Finishes with lush, palate-dusting tannins. A great vintage for Priorat's single finest bottling. 93-96 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 9/10-00
1997 $199.99 very limited
"Bright ruby. Highly nuanced aromas of blackcurrant, pungent minerals and spicy, toasty oak. Large-scaled yet light on its feet. Terrific fruit carries through to a very long, ripely tannic aftertaste. Kept fresh and lively by a flavor of licorice and very good acidity. A great showing for a vintage with a modest reputation for red wine in Spain. Palacios used more heavily toasted barrels following the rainy harvest of '97, but eschews charred oak in richer years like '98. 91-93 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 7/8-99
1996 $199.99 very limited
"Saturated ruby-red, darker than the Dof?. Blackcurrant, black cherry, clove and Mediterranean spices on the nose. Dense, sappy and sweet in the mouth; lively, harmonious acids frame the wine very youthful black fruit and spice flavors. Finishes with substantial but smooth palate-saturating tannins and superb persistence. This is harder to taste today than the '97, but should ultimately be the stronger vintage. 92+Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 7/8-99

Alvaro Palacios