2011 La Basseta

The 2011 La Basseta is a blend of 20-year-old Garnacha and Carinena and feels much darker and deeper than its young sibling, with powerful aromas of graphite, balsamic woods, peat and slate over a good core of ripe black fruit hinting on black olives. The supple palate, has tasty, saline flavors of spiced meat, and ripe cherries with round tannins and a fleshy finish, lifted by the alcohol. This is a well-crafted, big (but balanced) Priorat. Drink 2015-2023. Mas Alta is the name of the project created by Michel and Christine Vanhoutte from Belgium together with other investors. They created the company in 1999, planted their new vineyards in 2000, and harvested the first grapes in 2004. They also purchased eight hectares of 70- to 100-year-old slope vineyards. The wines are made by the young Bixente Ocafrain with the technical advice from Frenchmen Michel Tardieu and Philippe Cambie. Solid wines, true to their Priorat origin here, with a full range totaling some 80,000 bottles per year. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565