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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

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.

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More Details
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.