2013 Laurel

Brilliant ruby. Heady, mineral-laced aromas of candied red fruit, Indian spices and rose pastille. Juicy and incisive on the palate, offering intense raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that gain sweetness and spiciness in the glass. Packs a powerful punch but comes off lithe and precise, with alluring sweetness and a touch of candied rose on the gently tannic finish. This suave wine was aged in a combination of French oak tanks, barrels and clay amphoras for 18 months.

The 2013 Laurel, from a cool and late vintage, is Garnacha with 15% Syrah and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon from vines ranging between eight and 20 years of age planted on llicorella slate soils. It aged in a combination of second use barriques, cement vats and clay amphorae (10%) for one year. The nose was a bit shy, but once it took off, it went straight for the mineral spectrum of aromas, graphite and soil with an organic side to it, with more Garnacha aromas coming through with time. The palate has a superb balance, it feels very elegant, poised and with subtle minerality. Very Priorat. This is superb, but it suffered in comparison with the otherworldly 2014. There are 21,000 bottles produced. Oct 2016, www.robertparker.com, Drink: 2016-2023