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Alvaro Palacios Clos L'ermita 2010 750ml

size
750ml
country
Spain
region
Cataluna
appellation
Priorat
WA
99
VM
96
WS
94
Additional vintages
WA
99
Rated 99 by Wine Advocate
The 2010 L’Ermita is approximately 90% Garnacha, 8% Carinena and 2% white grapes, mainly Garnacha Blanca, since that is the mix found in the vineyard, and it has been like this since the 2006 harvest. Every year the grapes are hand-picked and then the 45-odd people that take part in the harvest sit down and go through each and every bunch removing the grapes that are not pristine. So even if the harvest is late, there is no over ripeness in the wine, as all the raisined fruit is removed. The bunches, which are very small and loose, go through a sorting table and the selection is stricter. Nothing less than perfect makes it into the fermentation vats. I saw a beautiful video of the 2013 harvest, which happened later than ever, on November 5, which was breathtaking. Going back to the 2010, the grapes were picked on October 29, and the final yield was a tiny 7.8 hectoliters per hectare, which resulted in 1,254 bottles and a bunch of magnums (and bigger-sized bottles) from the 1.40 hectares of vines. The grapes fermented in oak vats and then aged for 16 months in new French oak barrels. The wine presents itself with an incredible freshness, the nose full of citric notes of blood orange (Alvaro talks about grapefruit), Mediterranean herbs, licorice, violets and aniseed, pure elegance and subtly, with electric, lively acidity (according to the technical data, it has a pH of 3.3, a figure far more common in whites than in reds), pungent flavors, and very good grip. Graceful, elegant, vibrant. The oak is imperceptible, fully integrated into the wine, both in the nose and the palate, as only the very best grapes in the world can do: this is a truly world-class wine, and one of the best (if not the best) L’Ermita ever produced. It’s approachable now, but it should age and improve slowly and for a very long time. Drink 2014-2025+. ... More details
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Alvaro Palacios Clos L'ermita 2010 750ml

SKU 927396
Out of Stock
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More Details
barrel

Vintage: 2010

2010 saw extremely high quality viticulture in many parts of the world, with an exceptionally long and hot summer providing huge benefits for wineries across many countries, especially in the southern hemisphere. The northern hemisphere and Europe saw something of a cooler summer and flowering period, but this was by no means as disastrous as it could have been. France, especially, had a fantastic year in 2010, with the world renowned Burgundy region proclaiming that their white wines of this year are ones to look out for, and despite yields being relatively small across much of the country, the quality was exceptionally high. Spain, too, received some cooler weather, but Rioja and the rest of central Spain are hailing 2010 as a very good year indeed, again as a result of smaller, finer yields. California also received similar climatic conditions, but again, wineries are highly positive about the overall effect this had on their produce, as the slightly challenging conditions resulted in smaller yields of much elegance and distinction. 2010 was really Australia's year, and in South Australia and across the Mornington Peninsula, Chardonnay vines produced good yields with a lower sugar level than in previous years. As such, the majority of South Australian white wines from 2010 are superb, and packed full of character. Shiraz also had a great year, and most Australian wineries have been proclaiming 2010 one of the great vintages. Both the Argentinian and Chilean wine industries benefited from some ideal climatic conditions this year, and are reportedly ecstatically pleased with the fact that their 2010 wines ended up with lower alcohol levels, and were beautifully balanced wines packed full of flavor.
green grapes

Varietal: Grenache

The purple skinned Grenache grapes have become, over the past few decades, one of the most widely planted grape varietals on earth, thanks to their unique characteristics and the fact that they are an ideal varietal for use in both single variety and blended wines. They tend to be very light in body, due to the fact that they have low tannin levels and not much acidity to them. However, they can add a boost of alcohol to any blended wine, and also offer their complex and spicy flavors of pepper and dark berries. Grenache grapes grow very well in dry and arid region, such as their native home of central Spain, and struggle with damp conditions in which they are prone to rot or develop mildew. Thankfully, modern techniques and technology has managed to overcome many of these problems, resulting in this varietal continuing to grow in use and popularity.
barrel

Region: Cataluna

Spain's stunning coastal region of Catalunya has long since impressed the world with its wide range of excellent wines, the result of a wine history which stretches back to pre-Roman time, and it has been a key stopping point on some of the most ancient wine trade routes on earth. It isn't difficult to understand why Catalunya has had so much influence over the ages – the rich and fertile soils, the heat tempered by Mediterranean breezes, the fine grape varietals which flourish there have all helped establish Catalunya as an important global wine producer. Today, Catalunya is perhaps most famous for its 'methode champenoise' sparkling Cava wines, however, the region's soils support a wide range of grape varietals, and as such, the two hundred or so bodegas in the region produce a large variety of superb wines and wine styles.
fields

Country: Spain

Ever since the Phoenicians and Romans brought their knowledge of vine cultivation to Spanish soils, the country's culture has grown alongside wine production, with wine being a vital part of Spanish identity and Spanish traditions. Each region of Spain has a wine quite distinct from the others, and it is produced by smallholders and families as much as it is by large companies and established wineries. From the relatively mild and lush regions of La Rioja to the arid plateaus that surround Madrid, grapes are grown in abundance for the now booming Spanish wine industry, and new laws and regulations have recently been put in place to keep the country's standards high. By combining traditional practices with modern technology, Spanish wineries are continuing to produce distinctive wines of great character, flavor and aroma, with the focus shifting in recent decades to quality over quantity.