This is a concentrated red, backed with ripe black fruit notes, with accents of loamy earth, mocha and herbal giving depth through the tannic finish. Garnacha, Cari?ena and Syrah. Drink now through 2025. 323 cases made, 24 cases imported.??–GS??Region: Spain / Empordà Select to Add

The tops red is the 2011 S'Alou, a barrels selection which is around 60% Garnacha with a fair amount of Syrah and some Cari?ena and Cabernet Sauvignon which fermented in stainless steel with selected yeasts and matured in new French oak barriques for some 14 months. The nose has a mixture of ripe red and black cherries, lighter than the other reds. The main difference is found in the palate where the tannins are a lot gentler and fine-grained, preserving the Garnacha juiciness and showing moderate/integrated alcohol and good freshness. This feels quite develop and ready, but should also keep for a few years. 4,599 bottle produced.

The 2007 S’Alou is also a blend of Cabernet, Garnacha, and Carinena aged in French oak for 16 months. Fresh herbs (sage, thyme), plum, black cherry, and lavender scents lead to a sweetly fruited, ripe, nicely proportioned wine with layered fruit, succulent flavors and plenty of length. It will benefit from several more years of cellaring and offer a drinking window extending from 2014 to 2022. Importer: C & P Wines, New York, NY; tel. (917) 846-1708

The 2006 S’Alou is an identical blend that also spent 16 months in French oak. A saturated purple color, it offers up an already complex nose of pain grille, pencil lead, incense, spice box, and a confiture of black fruits. Structured on the palate, it is velvety-textured, intense, and structured. This impeccably balanced effort will drink optimally from 2013 to 2021. Importer: C & P Wines, New York, NY; tel. (917) 846-1708

The 2004 S’Alou is a blend of Garnacha, Carinena, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah aged in French oak for 16 months. Dark ruby/purple, it reveals a complex nose of toasty oak, spice box, mineral, blue and black fruits, and a hint of chocolate. Fat and forward on the palate, this fleshy effort neatly conceals some silky tannin. It is plush, ripe, and well-balanced with 2-3 years of aging potential. This hedonistic effort should provide much pleasure through 2020. Importer: Christopher Campbell, C & P Wines, New York, NY; tel. (917) 846-1708