The lascivious 2010 Camins del Priorat is a blend of 35% Garnacha, 35% Samso, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah cropped at 20 hectoliters per hectare. It has a very pure bouquet of lifted blackberry and cassis fruit, the French oak well-integrated. The palate is full-bodied with a soft, sensual entry. There is a lot of puppy fat here, low in acidity with a spicy, dense, warm spirituous finish. Drink 2014-2019. Visiting Alvaro Palacios was a must during my trip to Priorat, the dynamo and tour de force that has propelled Priorat to the forefront of the Spanish wine scene. The modern architecture of his hilltop winery lies in stark contrast to the nearby village Gratallops, where houses huddle as if sheltering from a raincloud that will never come. Indeed, as we parked the car, the village’s P.A. system was announcing that there would be no running water for the next two hours, indicating how precious a commodity water is. People suffer as well as vines. Since his debut in 1989, Alvaro’s wines have built a formidable reputation with prices to match. Fortunately, he pays as much attention to quality at the lower end of his range: a bottle bearing his name must meet his exacting standards. I listened as Alavaro expounded the greatness of Garnacha, convinced that the identity of Priorat lies in this grape variety and Carinena, rather than Cabernet Sauvignon. A man of his word, he is therefore reducing the percentage of Cabernet in his flagship L’Ermita and it would not surprise me if it is phased out entirely in the future. Personally, I think an already great wine is greater for it. He also rhapsodized about his nascent 2010s, which he feels are not as “heavy” as his 2009s and constitute “very enchanting wines,” something I completely agree with. Most of these wines were tasted in Priorat, augmented by one or two tastings held in London. Importer: Mannie Berk, The Rare Wine Company, Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484; and www.bbr.com in the UK.

Cocoa and toast notes accent black cherry and plum flavors in this sturdy red. Shows firm tannins supporting the ripe fruit, with enough acidity for liveliness. Drink now through 2016. 45,000 cases made.??–TM??Region: Spain / Priorat Select to Add