Alvaro Palacios, whose family owns the prestigious Rioja Bodega, Palacios Remondo, spent 2 years at Ch Petrus before setting up on his own in Priorat in 1989. From the outset, he set out to produce world-class wines by using fruit from extremely low-yielding old vines and by applying ultra-modern winemaking techniques.

Priorat
2000 $49.99 limited
"Full medium ruby. Explosive aromas of black raspberry, bitter chocolate, mocha, violet and spice cake. Thick, dense and suave, with vibrant flavors of licorice and violet. Already showing lively inner-mouth aromatics. Finishes very long, with thoroughly lush tannins. Should be an outstanding vintage for this wine. 92-95 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 11/12-01
"Focused and vivid, with bright raspberry and kirsch flavors, plenty of vanilla from oak and full, well integrated tannins. Drink now through 2010." The Wine Spectator 11/15/03
1999 $56.99 very limited
"This big red shows an impeccable balance of ripe fruit, firm tannins and smoky oak. It's full-bodied but seems to float on the palate, carrying notes of roses, vanilla, chocolate and spices. It's subtle, but grows on you quickly. Drink now through 2007. 1,200 cases made. 91 The Wine Spectator 9/15/02
"Full ruby. Subtle, precise aromas of black fruits, bitter chocolate, licorice, graphite and mint, along with enticing oak tones. Rich and perfumed in the mouth, with black raspberry, violet and cedary oak flavors framed and carried by ripe, integrated acidity. Solidly structured wine, finishing with a touch of tannic dryness. (I retasted the '98 next to this '99 and found it deeper and more structured by comparison; I scored it the same 92(+?) as last year.) 91 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 11/12-01
1998 $56.99 very limited
"From his estate-bottled production, the terrific 1998 Finca Dofi boasts an opaque ruby/purple color in addition to a gorgeous bouquet of minerals, black fruits, and vanillin. It offers a full-bodied, concentrated, intense style with great purity, symmetry, and length. Enjoy it over the next 10-12 years." 92 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #136
"Bright ruby-red. High-pitched aromas of blackcurrant, tar, exotic fruits, roasted nuts and cedar. Supple, juicy flavors of dried red fruits are given clarity by vibrant, ripe acidity. Very elegantly styled but also boasts terrific grip. Finishes with firm but suave tannins and impressive length. 92 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 9/10-00
1996 $449.99-5L very limited
"Still in cask, the 1996 Clos Dofi appears to be a less massive, more elegant, finesse-styled wine than the 1995 and 1994, with a dense ruby/plum color, and sweet red and black currant aromas intermixed with smoke, spice, fruitcake, and earth. In the mouth, it is medium-bodied, well-delineated, and long in the finish, without the weight or opulence of the 1995 and 1994. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2016." 90-92 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #116
"Deep ruby-red. Super complex aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, dark chocolate, maple sugar and toasty oak. Dense, sweet and seamless; round and deep. The wine sound acidity and underlying minerality give it superb vinosity and elegance. Long, refreshing aftertaste. Still quite young. 91(+?) Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 7/8-99
1995 $244.99-1.5L very limited
"The 1995 Clos Dofi was singing when I recently tasted it. The color is a saturated opaque purple, and the nose offers up explosive levels of cherry liqueur, creme de cassis, and pain grille. Full-bodied, with lower acidity and sweeter tannin than the 1994, this is a dense, massive, beautifully proportioned wine with exquisite equilibrium. While it will be more approachable than the 1994, it should age just as long - 15-20 years." 95 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #116
"Bright, deep ruby. Knockout nose combines raspberry, blackberry, minerals and dark chocolate; distinct note of crystallized red berries. Big, round and ripe, with outstanding purity and depth of flavor; hints of violet, anise and saddle leather contribute to its complexity. This has the backbone for a long, slow evolution in bottle. Finishes with substantial mouthcoating-but-ripe tannins. Maintains uncanny precision of flavor and finesse for a wine of this size." 93(+?) Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 7/8-99
1994 $249.99-1.5L $799.99-5L very limited
"Saturated bright ruby. Superripe aromas of black raspberry, chocolate, maple syrup, violet and menthol; this reminded me of a topnotch 1990 St. Est?phe. Very rich and thick; almost painful flavor intensity today. Deep and mouthfilling; voluptuous, layered and sweet. Spectacularly ripe, very long finish features dusty tannins. Not quite as backward as the '95. Hard to spit." 93 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 7/8-99

ALVARO PALACIOS

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."