ALVARO PALACIOS - From untameable to tameable

by kmsz
Nov 24, 2017
3 min read

Alvaro Palacios - Introduction

The name of “Palacios” is a name which has secured a prime position in La Rioja. The world famous wineries belonged to José Palacios Remondo. who was really responsible for making the winery what it is today, by planting the best possible selection of La Rioja’s traditional grape varieties, and treating viticulture as his true vocation. Showing great vision for the future, he sent his children (now in charge of the company) to be trained at the best French schools of oenology and viticulture and encouraged them to visit important wineries in the main wine-producing regions. Alvaro could easily part of this adventure but he decided to explore more and makes his way up in the wine industry.

Gang of Priorat: Alvaro Palacios, Josep Lluis Perez, Daphne Glorian and René Barbier

Vision and Future.....

Alvaro Palacios …rebellious on his own way, part of the Priorat Gang not only because of his talent to recognise the potential of the region because he is simply Alvaro Palacios with vision and creating untameable into tameable. His life was destined to study in Bordeaux and had the enviable job of working under Pomerol superstar Châteaus Pétrus winemaker Jean Pierre Moueix. When he decided to return to Spain, he founded his own winery in 1989 in Priorat. Along with the key players, they ventured on what it has been called “ Gratallops Project “.The group bought the vineyards together and shared vinification facilities until they each set up their own estates.

How to get there: The vineyard is located in Gratallops so if you take the flight you can get direct flight to Reus (local Airport) or to Barcelona. See more info under the article of Priorat.

Vineyards:

His aim, it is widely said, was to make a wine somewhere in between Ch. Pétrus and Grange. That is a tough order to fill, but he has achieved phenomenal praise for his three wines,L’Ermita and Les Terrasses. Alvaro, along with Peter Sisseck at Pingus in Ribera del Duero and Telmo Rodriguez in Toro wines, are considered to be the “new generation” of Spanish winemakers. His wines have won him cult status, and are absolutely salivated about in the wine mags. John Radford, Spanish wine specialist, says: “To sum up: Les Terrasses is excellent, Finca Dofí is outstanding and L’Ermita.

The rest of the story is history. Winning so many awards two years ago Decanter has awarded Alvaro Palacios the Man of the Year title for 2015. Today Alvaro Palacios wines are some of the most sought after and expensive wines in Spain competing with big names in the industry we can easily say in the World.

Wines:

L'Ermita 2006: One of the masterpiece of Alvaro’s vision. It was one of many tasting when you think twice how to approach the wine. You predict the unpredictable. Tasting is really an enjoyment when you tasting buds and all elements of excitement make sense. Putting the puzzle together. Blended wine grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha Tinta. The grapes come from a selected terrace with very old vines between 75 – 100 year old. Low production, handpicked grapes are carefully selected. Each variety is vinified separately. Destemmed and squeezed carefully. The alcoholic fermentation takes place in small vats, gently applying to extract all possible colours and fruit flavour. The malolactic fermentation will carried out in new French oak up to 18 month. Young Crianza shows medium intensity in nose, ripe red fruit (cherry) for tasting. Smooth tannin blends well with bouquet of herbs, tango all the way through to the seductive long finish. No wonder this wine is worshipped by many. You can fetch this wine in premium price from £978.00 onwards. Worth to invest if you are a serious wine collector.

Finca Dofi Magnum 2012: Finca Dofi previously called Clos Dofi shows attitude and elegance at the same time. The wine made of one single grape variety Garnacha Tinta. The wine stays for 25 days in maceration and moving towards to fermentation process where the wine will be punch down in oak vats and mature more for 19 months in French oak barrel. Finca Dofi shows again complexity like any wine from Priorat. Tast to express again your feel the minerality of the terroir. From medium to medium(+) body , medium intensity, ripe fruits, spices combined with medium alcohol level, with slightly bitter medium finish. Well balanced wine can be drank early but full potential shows when the wine mature longer.