futronic
Toronto, Canada
Wine Bottler
Posts:3214
 | | 01/28/2003 4:59 PM |
| 55% Cariñena with the remainder being Cabernet Sauvignon along with a little Syrah and Merlot
$86CAD
Saturated ruby with a purple tinge. Big, big nose of raspberry, dark chocolate, violets, and spice. A thick, rich, fruit bomb with hints of mint, anise, and a lingering finish. 92 points. | | | |
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ChangeMe
Grape Fermenter
Posts:442
| | 02/03/2003 12:33 PM |
| I tried the 99 just two weeks ago and had to give it a whopping 93+ I'm always amazed at how good some Priorats can be at this stage, with fruit all over but balanced by such mineral complexity and muscular tannin, without being rude or giving you the guilty feeling that you should have waited two years more.
I know the scenario of your tasting from the WS, did you get a proper glass? Was it decanted? | | | |
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futronic
Toronto, Canada
Wine Bottler
Posts:3214
| | 02/04/2003 2:29 PM |
| Gastro,
If I owned bottles of this wine (which to be honest, is the best Spanish wine I've had), I would have waited. As I mentioned earlier, this was a "try before you buy" scenario, so I didn't have much say in the matter. I don't recall now, but it was either decanted, or uncorked well in advance to allow for some breathing time. The stemware used was a standard tasting glass.
I could tell the wine was still a little harsh and needed time, but there was a lot there for the future. | | | |
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jason
Napa Valley
Wine Addict
Posts:6888
| | 10/08/2004 7:39 PM |
| | Anyone have any decanting advice on this wine? | | | |
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jaimetown
DC area
Wine Labeler
Posts:3504
| | 10/08/2004 8:33 PM |
| | Jason, I would decant for 1 hour and enjoy the rest over the course of the evening. Let me know how it goes - I haven't had a 2000 Dofi in a while. | | | |
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jason
Napa Valley
Wine Addict
Posts:6888
| | 10/09/2004 9:08 AM |
| | I accidently grabbed the 1999. I gave it a little over an hour and it was drinking beautifully. Very subtle and seductive. | | | |
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Winoman
Herndon VA
Grape Sorter
Posts:390
| | 10/18/2004 6:05 PM |
| | Agreed - a great wine - 99 or 2000 - I've had both and what powerhouses! I also have the problem of (not) knowing when (best) to drink (and having patience for keeping) these and Priorats in general. While they are always good - they generally tend to deliver teeth coating tannins as well - and make me wish I had waited (having only ones and twos of the Dofi, Clos Mogador, Vlall Lach etc ...my "high end" Priorats...)....I've somewhat "solved" my dilema by purchasing a bunch o cheaper - but still nice drinking - Monstat wines over the past two years and I've been mostly using these to get my Spanish power fix...however I'l occasionaly break down and open a true powerhouse - the other day being the Vlall Lach....hope they (I) can hold out... | | | |
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ChangeMe
Grape Fermenter
Posts:442
| | 11/08/2004 9:50 AM |
| | BTW, just tried the 2002 at a tasting and thought it a far cry from previous vintages. Martinet and Mogador 2002 were appropriately more accessible than ever, almost medium bodied, etc, but the usually more elegant Dofí resented the poor vintage. It's all too premature for a serious appreciation but you'd be wise to load up previous years... | | | |
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jaimetown
DC area
Wine Labeler
Posts:3504
| | 11/08/2004 9:54 PM |
| Thanks for the update Gastro - 2002 doesn't seem to be very good in Priorat.
So are you back in Europe? | | | |
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ChangeMe
Grape Fermenter
Posts:442
| | 11/29/2004 9:42 AM |
| | Yep, working like mad and trying to escape every now and then for a nice tasting... This year seems to be good for usually-tougher (vs Dofi) stuff like Mogador/Martinet. In that line one might think monsters like Vall Llach/Doix should be more approachable than is usual in them too... | | | |
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jaimetown
DC area
Wine Labeler
Posts:3504
| | 10/23/2007 10:10 AM |
| | I had my final bottle of this from the case I bought - and it was the best bottle of it yet. Some over the past year tasted like they were starting to fade a bit, but this bottle showed power, finesse, texture and great balance. | | | |
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jason
Napa Valley
Wine Addict
Posts:6888
| | 10/24/2007 11:55 AM |
| | I hope the majority of bottles are like this note with more years ahead since I left a mag of the 1999 and 2000 in Hawaii. | | | |
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jaimetown
DC area
Wine Labeler
Posts:3504
| | 10/24/2007 12:20 PM |
| | Jason I've been going through a lot of my older Priorats from 1996-2000 and drinking them. Not sure what your preferences are, but I am finding that I like my Priorats more for their minerally and intense flavors, and as they become more mature they become less interesting to me. | | | |
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