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Alvaro Palacios Finca Dofi 2018 750ml

size
750ml
country
Spain
region
Cataluna
appellation
Priorat
WA
96
VM
96
JS
94
WS
93
Additional vintages
WA
96
Rated 96 by Wine Advocate
The origin of everything here and the first single-vineyard red, the 2018 Finca Dofí excels in 2018. Those 10 hectares planted 20 years ago in the village of Gratallops are mostly Garnacha, but the wine also has some 8% Cariñena and 2% white grapes. They all fermented after being destemmed and lightly crushed in oak vats with indigenous yeasts. The wine matured in large oak barrels (bocoyes and foudres) for 16 months. This is the refined version of the Gratallops (the vineyard is in the village!) but with an extra degree of depth and complexity, especially nuance and elegance, showcasing the captivating finesse and harmony of the vintage, which is a little in the style of the 2016 with more energy. I see that these 2018s are quite transparent and show the style of the zone, the iron soils, the dusty roads and the warmth of the soils; it's round and lush, spherical but with a spike of freshness. The élevage has been polished so as to render it almost invisible. This is drinkable now, and I think it's also going to age nicely in bottle and drink nicely throughout its life. 29,540 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2020. ... More details
Image of bottle
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Alvaro Palacios Finca Dofi 2018 750ml

SKU 896340
Case Only Purchase
Long-term Pre-Arrival
$581.70
/case
$96.95
/750ml bottle
Quantity
min order 6 bottles
* This is a Long-term Pre-arrival item and is available for online ordering only. This item will ship on a future date after a 4-8 months transfer time. For additional details about Pre-arrival Items please visit our FAQ page.
Professional Ratings
WA
96
VM
96
JS
94
WS
93
WA
96
Rated 96 by Wine Advocate
The origin of everything here and the first single-vineyard red, the 2018 Finca Dofí excels in 2018. Those 10 hectares planted 20 years ago in the village of Gratallops are mostly Garnacha, but the wine also has some 8% Cariñena and 2% white grapes. They all fermented after being destemmed and lightly crushed in oak vats with indigenous yeasts. The wine matured in large oak barrels (bocoyes and foudres) for 16 months. This is the refined version of the Gratallops (the vineyard is in the village!) but with an extra degree of depth and complexity, especially nuance and elegance, showcasing the captivating finesse and harmony of the vintage, which is a little in the style of the 2016 with more energy. I see that these 2018s are quite transparent and show the style of the zone, the iron soils, the dusty roads and the warmth of the soils; it's round and lush, spherical but with a spike of freshness. The élevage has been polished so as to render it almost invisible. This is drinkable now, and I think it's also going to age nicely in bottle and drink nicely throughout its life. 29,540 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2020.
VM
96
Rated 96 by Vinous Media
Full ruby-red. Mineral-accented red and dark berry preserve, incense and exotic spice aromas are complemented by suggestions of licorice and candied violet. Seamless and penetrating on the palate, showing superb clarity to sweet, mineral-inflected black raspberry, cherry cola, spicecake and violet pastille flavors. The mineral quality echoes emphatically on the youthfully tannic, impressively long finish, which shows outstanding energy and floral lift.
JS
94
Rated 94 by James Suckling
Dark-berry, walnut and tile character throughout. Medium to full body with a creamy texture and a flavorful finish. Very fine tannins. Caresses your palate. Subtle is the word. Drinkable now, but better in 2021.
WS
93
Rated 93 by Wine Spectator
Raspberry coulis, mountain herb, cedar and cocoa flavors are cast in plush layers in this elegant red that shows richness and harmony, with clove and licorice notes sailing along the finish. Drink now through 2031. 2,500 cases made.
Winery
From Alvaro’s original vineyard, Finca Dofí is a blend of Garnacha, Cabernet, and Syrah. Like L’Ermita, Dofí combines power and richness with great breed and finesse. In most Priorat tastings that do not include L’Ermita, Dofí is the clear winner.
Product Details
size
750ml
country
Spain
region
Cataluna
appellation
Priorat
Additional vintages
Overview
Full ruby-red. Mineral-accented red and dark berry preserve, incense and exotic spice aromas are complemented by suggestions of licorice and candied violet. Seamless and penetrating on the palate, showing superb clarity to sweet, mineral-inflected black raspberry, cherry cola, spicecake and violet pastille flavors. The mineral quality echoes emphatically on the youthfully tannic, impressively long finish, which shows outstanding energy and floral lift.
green grapes

Varietal: Grenache

For many centuries now, vintners in the dry and arid regions of Europe have been growing the purple skinned fruits of the Grenache vines for use in a wide range of different wines. Their influence and popularity led to them being planted all over the New World in any region with the correct climatic conditions for them to thrive in, away from the damp or wet weather which causes this particular varietal to very easily rot. Grenache grapes are prized by many as a result of their spicy berry flavors, and the fact that they have a relatively high alcohol content in the bottle. This has led to them being often used as a blending grape, although single variety bottles are also common and make the most of their light body and interesting, rich flavors
barrel

Region: Cataluna

With sixty thousand hectares of prime land under vine, and over two hundred bodegas and wineries operating there, the Spanish region of Catalunya is a vitally important centre for Spanish wine production and viticulture. It seems this has been the case for several thousand years, and recent archaeological findings have proven that Catalunya has a wine history which pre-dates Roman Spain by a considerable margin, making it one of the oldest wine regions in the world. Catalan wines today are dominated by the ever popular sparkling Cava wines, made in the methode champenois, and drank across the globe as a fine replacement for the more expensive Champagne wines. However, the excellent climatic conditions and terroir of Catalunya means that the bodegas of the region can also produce excellent still red and white wines, made from the wide range of grape varietals which thrive there.
fields

Country: Spain

For over two thousand years, Spain has been responsible for much of Europe's wine production, making the very best of native grape varietals, and more recently experimenting with and perfecting wines made from imported grapes. Of course, the region of La Rioja is renowned world-wide for the quality and characteristics of its wines, which benefit greatly from the warm, dry continental climate of the area, and the fertile soils of the Ebro river basin. However, there is far more to Spanish produce than the complex, aromatic and earthy red wine of this region, as a result of the vast range of wine making traditions and practices, and terrains and climatic conditions found across the country. The region Castilla y Leon produces some of Europe's finest white wines, and the sparkling wines of Cava and the sherries of Jerez are firm favorites for wine lovers around the world.
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Customer Reviews

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More Details
green grapes

Varietal: Grenache

For many centuries now, vintners in the dry and arid regions of Europe have been growing the purple skinned fruits of the Grenache vines for use in a wide range of different wines. Their influence and popularity led to them being planted all over the New World in any region with the correct climatic conditions for them to thrive in, away from the damp or wet weather which causes this particular varietal to very easily rot. Grenache grapes are prized by many as a result of their spicy berry flavors, and the fact that they have a relatively high alcohol content in the bottle. This has led to them being often used as a blending grape, although single variety bottles are also common and make the most of their light body and interesting, rich flavors
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Region: Cataluna

With sixty thousand hectares of prime land under vine, and over two hundred bodegas and wineries operating there, the Spanish region of Catalunya is a vitally important centre for Spanish wine production and viticulture. It seems this has been the case for several thousand years, and recent archaeological findings have proven that Catalunya has a wine history which pre-dates Roman Spain by a considerable margin, making it one of the oldest wine regions in the world. Catalan wines today are dominated by the ever popular sparkling Cava wines, made in the methode champenois, and drank across the globe as a fine replacement for the more expensive Champagne wines. However, the excellent climatic conditions and terroir of Catalunya means that the bodegas of the region can also produce excellent still red and white wines, made from the wide range of grape varietals which thrive there.
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Country: Spain

For over two thousand years, Spain has been responsible for much of Europe's wine production, making the very best of native grape varietals, and more recently experimenting with and perfecting wines made from imported grapes. Of course, the region of La Rioja is renowned world-wide for the quality and characteristics of its wines, which benefit greatly from the warm, dry continental climate of the area, and the fertile soils of the Ebro river basin. However, there is far more to Spanish produce than the complex, aromatic and earthy red wine of this region, as a result of the vast range of wine making traditions and practices, and terrains and climatic conditions found across the country. The region Castilla y Leon produces some of Europe's finest white wines, and the sparkling wines of Cava and the sherries of Jerez are firm favorites for wine lovers around the world.