2013 Nit de Nin

(aged in French oak barrels for ten months, followed by another eight months in foudres ): Vivid ruby. Vibrant black raspberry, potpourri and Asian spices are complemented by hints of candied licorice and smoky minerals. On the palate, deeply concentrated, palate-staining red and dark berry preserves, with enlivening five-spice powder, fresh lavender and exotic blood orange. Silky, interwoven tannins give shape and focus to the extremely long, sweet finish; shows outstanding clarity and power.

The 2013 Nit de Nin matured in 3,200-liter oak foudres for some 16 months, and wants to be an old-style blend of grapes from slope vineyards showcasing the typicity of Priorat. The full clusters from ancient vineyards fermented with indigenous yeasts and produced some 4,000 bottles that were filled in March 2015. I previously had the opportunity of tasting the wine just after being bottled and was somehow reduced and dizzy. Now it's a completely different story. The 16 months in bottle have polished the wine and the reductive character is completely gone. However, everything is subtler, it's not as explosive as when it is really young and shows its exuberance, there is a calmed beauty. The palate is always very refined with fantastic freshness and subtle minerality, pure and fresh, even if it's also very powerful. There are 3,200 bottles produced. Oct 2016, www.robertparker.com