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Alvaro Palacios 2011 'Les Terrasses Velles Vinyes' Priorat DOCa
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Item Number: 6330

UPC: 8429073013250

Country: Spain
Region: Catalunya
Appellation/AVA: Priorat DOCa
Vintage: 2011
Grape(s): 50% Garnacha / 50% Samso (Carinena)
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750ml Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 14.5
Viticulture: Practicing Biodynamic
Soil Type: Friable Schist on steep, terraced slopes
Elevation: 250 to 600 meters


Fruit Source: Estate grapes, with the addition of selected lots of purchased old-vine Garnacha and Cariñena grapes.
Aging: 12 months in French barriques (20% new)
Fining: Egg Whites
Filtration: None
Vintage Notes: The 2011 wines are like blends of the 2009s and 2010s. The third of a great trio of vintages.

Winemaking Notes: 15 day maceration. Fermentation in stainless steel with pumpover. While originally conceived of as a value wine, Les Terrasses "Velles Vignes" has slowly evolved into the essence of what makes Priorat special. Drawing on 15+ years of study, Terrasses is sourced from many of the region's steepest and oldest vineyards—many of them north-facing to avoid the intense afternoon sun. With the 2007 vintage, Alvaro acknowledged Les Terrasses' "graduation" by adding the "Velles Vinyes" designation to the label.

Voted #26 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2013
"Rioja native Alvaro Palacios first won acclaim in Priorat in 1993 with his collectible L'Ermita bottling, from old-vine Garnacha. A relentless innovator, he has continued to improve the Les Terrasses cuvee: in 2007, he began sourcing grapes from old vines only, reducing production by almost one-third. In 2011, he started using only indigenous varieties Garnacha and Samso in the blend. The 2011 notches the cuvee's highest score."
Reviews
Alvaro Palacios 2011 'Les Terrasses Velles Vinyes' Priorat DOCa
Rating: 89

The 2011 Terrases is more or less 50/50 Carinena and Garnacha and is the wildest wine in the portfolio, it is his other regional wine, a wine with a slightly more elegant-rustic profile (think of a British farmer dressed in corduroy trousers) with notes of tree bark, damsons and flinty aromas. It has an austere palate with pungent flavors, ultra-fine tannins, very supple with good acidity. Drink 2014-2018.

- The Wine Advocate (2/28/2014)

Alvaro Palacios 2011 'Les Terrasses Velles Vinyes' Priorat DOCa
Rating: 92

Glass-staining ruby. Exotically perfumed aromas of dark fruit compote, smoky Indian spices and licorice, with a building floral quality. Coats the palate with juicy blackberry and mulberry flavors enlivened by juicy acidity. Quite rich but manages to remain energetic, finishing with sappy dark berry flavors and excellent persistence.

- International Wine Cellar (10/1/2013)

Alvaro Palacios 2011 'Les Terrasses Velles Vinyes' Priorat DOCa
Rating: 93

A light texture carries racy, intense flavors in this expressive red, with bright cherry, licorice, mineral, garrigue and spice notes mingling over light tannins and buoyed by lively acidity. Balanced, focused and elegant, featuring a lingering finish. Drink now through 2021.

- The Wine Spectator (6/19/2013)