2007 Mas Martinet Priorat Martinet Bru

The newest releases begin with the 2007 Martinet Bru, made up of Garnacha and Syrah. Cedar, spice box, lavender, black cherry, and blueberry inform the nose of this mouth-filling, ripe red. Nicely proportioned, it has enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years and will offer prime drinking from 2013 to 2022. Mas Martinet is owned by Jose Luis Perez, one of the original Priorat pioneers. He has turned over day-to-day operations to his daughter, Sarah. The estate owns 10 hectares of vineyard planted in the famous llicorella soil that gives the DO its distinctive character. In 2006 the estate added two new cuvees, Cami Pesseroles and Els Escurons, which are intended to show aspects of the terroir rather than to be special luxury bottlings. Be that as it may, these two new offerings appear to be every bit as good as the flagship Clos Martinet. During my visit in January 2011, Sarah Perez was kind enough to open several older vintages, 2004, 2000, 1998, and 1993. Even the 1993 is in good condition although it should be drunk up over the next 5-7 years. The 2004 Clos Martinet which I reviewed in 2007 appears to be even better than I thought at the time. Importer: Christopher Cannan, Europvin; www.europvin.com; and Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel. (610) 466-0800

(50% garnatxa, with syrah, caranyena, cabernet sauvignon and merlot) Vivid ruby. High-pitched, mineral-driven aromas of raspberry and cherry, with sexy floral and spicecake qualities picking up steam with air. Silky, incisive red fruit and mineral flavors gain sweetness in the mid-palate and pick up a deeper cherry quality. The mineral and floral notes repeat on the punchy, nicely delineated finish. This is balanced to age.