Alvaro Palacios Vi de Vila Gratallops DOCa 2018

Gratallops Vi De Vila is the most Mediterranean of Alvaro Palacios’ wines, the only one able to make you understand what Priorat really is.

Garnacha and Cariñena grapes harvested at perfect ripeness and fermentation with indigenous yeasts begin the masterpiece, completed with aging in wood for 15 months.

The intense red in the glass just makes you imagine what awaits you: the essence of the Mediterranean from the sea breeze to aromatic herbs, with irresistible notes of rosemary and wild fennel. The palate is powerful with intense tannins and long finish.

94 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“The “vi de vila” or village wine, the 2018 Gratallops is a blend of 74% Garnacha, 25% Cariñena and 1% white varieties that were crushed and destemmed and then fermented in oak vats with indigenous yeasts. The wine matured in oak containers of different sizes, bocoyes and oval foudres, for 15 months. This is the most approachable and open of the 2018s; it’s aromatic and has the characterful profile of wet slate, nuts, Mediterranean herbs and acid berries. It has a lively palate with great acidity but especially with complete but sustained freshness. It has fine tannins and is nicely textured. Textbook Priorat. 18,740 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2020.”