2009 Vinya del Vuit

The 2009 La Vinya del Vuit is a small cuvee created by Sara Perez and Rene Barbier Jr. with another six friends, making it the "vineyard of the 8", which is the name of the wine and the whole project in the Catalan language. They bought an old 4.5-hectare, 70-year-old vineyard in Gratallops with 70% Garnacha and the rest Carinena and first produced this wine in 2001. They later bought another 5.5-hectare vineyard in Vilella Baixa which was added to the project. Yields are minuscule, and something like 3,000 bottles are produced each year from these organic vineyards. The grapes are fermented and aged at the Clos Mogador winery. The wine has been changing over the years, and the 2009 is one of the finest produced so far, with a superb balance between power and elegance. The nose screams Priorat, with those wet slate notes intermixed with aromas of Mediterranean herbs, licorice, graphite and blackberries, all of it in a very harmonious way. The palate has ultra-polished tannins, good acidity and clean flavors, great persistence and length. This is a serious, balanced, powerful and elegant Priorat built for the long haul. Bravo! Drink 2015-2025. Importer: Boutique Wine, Philadelphia, PA; tel. (914) 954-6583; www.boutiquewines.info