Bodegas Mas Alta - Vinyes Mas Romani La Creu Alta, Priorat DOCa, Spain

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The 2009 La Creu Alta seems more Carignan-driven with aromas of liquid minerals, exotic spices, violets, incense, and black plum. It displays a vibrant acid underpinning balanced by plush layers of fruit, incipient complexity, and a very long finish. Its drinking window will extend from 2015 to 2029, perhaps longer. Bodegas Mas Alta, based in the Priorat village of Vilella Alta, is a partnership of five Belgian families. They have hired the duo of Frenchmen Michel Tardieu and Philippe Cambie (of Rhone Valley renown) as consultants. Since 1999 they have planted 77 acres of vines, mostly on slate at altitude. The top cuvees are made from old-vine fruit purchased from local growers. The red wines begin with the value-priced Els Pics bottling made from younger vines with 45% of the fruit coming from valley floors. Both the 2008 and 2009 vintages are blends of 60% Grenache, 35% Carignan, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon with 12 months of aging in seasoned French oak. The Artigas cuvee is made up of 60% Grenache, 35% Carignan, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 16 months in 35% new French oak. Most of the fruit is sourced from Priorat’s steep slopes. The Cirerets cuvee is made up of 60% Grenache and 40% Carignan, all from steep slopes in llicorella slate. The Carignan portion comes from vines ranging in age from 40-100 years. The wine is aged in 30% new French oak for 18 months. The La Basseta cuvee is a blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Carignan, and 20% Syrah all from steep slopes and aged for 16 months in 60% new French oak. The flagship cuvee is La Creu Alta, a blend of 55% Carignan and 45% Grenache from old vines and steep hillsides planted in llicorella slate made only in top vintages. The wine is aged for 18 months in 80% new French oak.Importer: Bodegas Mas Alta is in the process of changing importers.

The 2008 La Creu Alta is a glass-coating opaque purple color with an expressive perfume of minerals, Asian spices, incense, and kinky wild blue and black berry aromas. On the palate it has superb concentration, impeccable balance marked by lively acidity, savory flavors, and exceptional length. It will continue to unwind for several more years and drink well through its 20th birthday. Bodegas Mas Alta, based in the Priorat village of Vilella Alta, is a partnership of five Belgian families. They have hired the duo of Frenchmen Michel Tardieu and Philippe Cambie (of Rhone Valley renown) as consultants. Since 1999 they have planted 77 acres of vines, mostly on slate at altitude. The top cuvees are made from old-vine fruit purchased from local growers. The red wines begin with the value-priced Els Pics bottling made from younger vines with 45% of the fruit coming from valley floors. Both the 2008 and 2009 vintages are blends of 60% Grenache, 35% Carignan, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon with 12 months of aging in seasoned French oak. The Artigas cuvee is made up of 60% Grenache, 35% Carignan, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 16 months in 35% new French oak. Most of the fruit is sourced from Priorat’s steep slopes. The Cirerets cuvee is made up of 60% Grenache and 40% Carignan, all from steep slopes in llicorella slate. The Carignan portion comes from vines ranging in age from 40-100 years. The wine is aged in 30% new French oak for 18 months. The La Basseta cuvee is a blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Carignan, and 20% Syrah all from steep slopes and aged for 16 months in 60% new French oak. The flagship cuvee is La Creu Alta, a blend of 55% Carignan and 45% Grenache from old vines and steep hillsides planted in llicorella slate made only in top vintages. The wine is aged for 18 months in 80% new French oak.Importer: Bodegas Mas Alta is in the process of changing importers.

The 2007 La Creu Alta is a blend of 50% Centenaire Carinena, 35% Grenache noir, and 15% Syrah. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it is denser, richer, and more structured than its sibling. Give it 4-6 years of additional cellaring and drink it from 2014 to 2027. Mas Alta is made by the French team of Phillipe Cambie and Michel Tardieu from old vines in the Priorat village of La Vilella Alta.Importer: Eric Solomon Selections, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565

In contrast, the flagship cuvee, the inky purple-colored 2006 La Creu Alta, a blend of 60% Carinena and 40% Garnacha from vines over 100 years of age, is not nearly as interesting. Dense and port-like (with 16.4% alcohol), it has plenty of power but comes off as compact and one-dimensional.Importer: Eric Solomon Selections, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565