WS 90; Winetex score 94; $37

Since there was not a review on this extremely good wine on VinoCellar I took my previous review from the WS site from 2002. Gastro, Marc and I discussed this one at length. See Gastro's VinoCellar review on the 1998.

from Aug 9 2002:

I struggled with posting this TN because when you find a wine that is just great and you can get more you might want to keep it to yourself. But since wine is fun to share with other winos here is a TN on a wine we had last night. It was written by Charles "Bear" Dalton, the wine manager of Spec's here in Houston, for their monthly newsletter.

This wine is just fabulous. We had it with a cheese course and with paella in the past. The only negative I can voice on this wine is that it is somewhat lighter in body but it does not detract from the wine at all. Every time we open a bottle of this it is better!

"Simply put, this is as delicious and drinkable a young red wine as I have tasted in the last two years. Made mostly from old-vine Grenache in the dry Priorat district of northeast Spain, this succulent, perfumed wine is packed with exotic black fruit in the grape and blackberry range with notes of various red and black berry liqueurs adding aromatic complexity. There are grace notes of black pepper, cedar, supple oak, subtle spice, and exotic earth but everything is beautifully knit together with a lovely medium-to-full-bodied, moderately chewy texture and a great feel in the mouth. The long finish shows more perfume and real elegance. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Truly delicious. Outstanding. 97"

I didn't share quite the same enthusiasm for this wine. I thought it was good, but not outstanding.

Dark ruby red. Aromas of vanilla, blackberry, blueberry and cranberry. Medium-full bodied. Spicy with dark crushed fruit. Lingering ~30s finish. 89 points.

From the Gabrielle's party in New Orleans, Friday night:

Lovely elegant nose showing anise, cherries, and ripe berries. Excellent balance and acidity, with smooth unobtrusive tannins and a medium finish. An excellent wine made even better with food, 92 points.

[list]

1999 Morlanda (Viticultors del Priorat) Priorat Morlanda Vi de Guarda - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat (11/22/2005)
This wine had interesting secondary aromas and flavors. It has changed quite a bit from its release. The alcohol was a bit more prominent as well as lots of spice. Really nice wine. Mr. Winetex nailed it blind which I thought was impressive since we had not had this wine in several months. Last bottle. [~$40 on release; decanted and served and improved with time in glass] (92 pts.)