2014 Laurel, Clos I Terrasses, Priorat, Spain

I was really blown away by the aromatics of the 2014 Laurel. As soon as I put my nose in the glass I was transported to the vineyards of Gratallops, with a blast of wild herbs and flowers followed by a stream of smoked meat, juicy red currants and raspberries. It is mostly Garnacha but with some 10% each Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes are cooled down during the night and in the morning some are destemmed, and some others are left with the stems on and fermented mostly with indigenous yeasts. The levage here is one year in a combination of used oak barrels, oak vats, cement and amphorae. They have increased the volume of wine being raised in amphorae in this 2014. This might very well be the finest Laurel to date. Simply stunning! 24,000 bottles were produced in 2014.Luis Gutirrez - 28/10/2016