The 2008 Coma Vella is an elegant and powerful red Priorat produced with Garnacha Peluda, Garnacha Tinta, Carinena and Syrah grapes from slate vineyards at 350 meters altitude planted between 1968 and 1998. The wine shows aromas of ripe damsons, violets, peat and slate in a subtle, harmonious way, with elegance and balance, and a powerful palate with intense flavors and a long aftertaste, lifted by good freshness and a mineral sensation. An elegant and powerful Priorat from a fresh vintage, and one of the best values in its quality range. Drink now-2022. The Rovira family bought the Masia Barril winery in Priorat in 1998 and renamed it with the name of the estate, Mas d-En Gil. Marta Rovira is in charge of winemaking and has been fine- tuning the wines, which have reached a very good level, according to the wines I tasted. They have been moving toward bigger-sized oak containers for the aging of their wines and reducing the amount of new wood as well as moderating the extraction, looking for elegance and balance in their wines in a very successful way. A (not so new) name on the way up. Importer: Classical Wines, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 297-6713

This fleshy red offers mulled plum, cinnamon and woodsy flavors, with notes of loam and licorice. This has orange peel acidity and modest tannins. Drink now through 2017. 35,000 cases made.??–TM??Region: Spain / Priorat Select to Add

(60% garnacha, 25% carinena and 15% syrah): Vivid ruby. Redcurrant and cherry on the fragrant mineral- and herb-accented nose. Taut and focused, offering mineral-tinged red fruit flavors and a hint of licorice. Closes with firm cut and very good tangy persistence. No excess fat here but no shortage of flavor intensity either.