Alvaro Palacios : Camins del Priorat 2023

Tasting Notes and Serving Advice for Camins del Priorat 2023 by Alvaro Palacios

Tasting

Appearance

The wine shows a bright ruby-red color, with slightly paler reflections than the previous vintage.

Nose

The nose opens with aromas of crushed red fruits, notably red cherries and pomegranates, accompanied by delicate floral notes and Mediterranean herbs. Hints of hibiscus and cochineal add further aromatic dimension, while subtle balsamic notes complete the bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is harmonious and elegant, with a medium body and a silky texture. Juicy boysenberry flavors intertwine with touches of marjoram and subtle mineral notes reminiscent of oyster shell. Nuances of coffee and freshly ground white pepper bring complexity, while fine-grained tannins structure the whole without heaviness. The finish, of medium length, stands out for its freshness and spicy mineral character, with a beautiful stony firmness.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with traditional Catalan dishes such as grilled sausages with beans or grilled lamb. It also complements specialties from southwestern France such as cassoulet, Toulouse sausages with Puy lentils, or duck confit. More broadly, it pairs well with grilled red meats, prime rib, beef ribs, as well as aged cheeses and Mediterranean rice dishes such as paella.

Serving and cellaring

Camins del Priorat 2023 benefits from being decanted one to two hours before serving to allow the tannins to soften and the aromas to fully develop. It is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 15 and 18°C.

An expressive and refined Priorat by Alvaro Palacios

The estate

Álvaro Palacios, born in 1964 in Alfaro in Rioja, is one of the most influential Spanish winemakers of his generation. After studying at the University of Bordeaux and training at Château Pétrus, he settled in 1989 in Priorat in Catalonia, a region that had been almost abandoned, where he was among the five pioneers who revived this appellation. Today, Álvaro Palacios runs three wine estates in Spain: his historic property in Priorat, Descendientes de J Palacios in Bierzo (created in 1999 with his nephew Ricardo Pérez Palacios), and Palacios Remondo in Rioja Oriental, the family estate founded in 1948 that he took over in 1999. Internationally recognized for exceptional wines such as L'Ermita, he revolutionized Spanish viticulture by prioritizing the expression of terroir, native grape varieties, and traditional methods. His daughter Lola recently joined the family business.

The vineyard

Camins del Priorat is made from grapes sourced from 90 different plots spread across eight villages in the Priorat appellation. The vines, coming from the estate’s youngest plots, are planted on steep slopes and terraces at altitudes ranging from 350 to 700 meters. The soils are composed of llicorella, the characteristic Priorat slate mixed with schist and quartz, which gives the wines their distinctive minerality. These poor, well-drained soils force the vines to develop deep root systems, thereby concentrating aromas and structure.

The vintage

The 2023 vintage is characterized by a harmonious and elegant profile, with a pronounced Mediterranean character. The balsamic notes observed in previous vintages have faded in favor of a clearer expression of the Mediterranean terroir.

Vinification and ageing

The grapes for Camins del Priorat 2023 are harvested by hand and then vinified with a thirty-day maceration. Fermentation takes place in a mix of stainless steel tanks, cement vats, and open-top wooden vats, with regular pump-overs and/or punch-downs. Ageing then occurs over four to six months in used barrels and vats, preserving the freshness and accessibility of this Spanish wine while maintaining its link to the Priorat terroir.

Grape varieties

Garnacha (45%), Cariñena (17%), Cabernet Sauvignon (13%), Merlot (10%), Syrah (9%), Garnacha Blanca and Pedro Ximénez (6%)