100 PARKER POINTS
Producer: Arrels del Priorat
Region: Priorat - Catalonia
Bottle : 50 cl
Alcohol Content: 29 %
For the first time a Rancio Wine from the Priorat has been awarded with the maximun recognition of 100 points by the prestigious Wine Advocate, Robert Parker’s magazine.
Carles Viudes, a rancio wine elaborated from a very old solera of 100% Grenache over a 100 year old (it is not known the exact date of the solera), from a house in the village of Porrera from which it takes its name, its production is very limitated, production of just 60 bottles a year approximately.
In the region of Catalonia has been made vino rancio (Vi Ranci) since centuries and it has a distinguished history of its own . For many families it was a tradition to keep small barrels of Rancios in their houses for their own consumption. A distinctive style of wine tipically made from Grenache grapes, achieve by deliberately oxidizing the wine and being exposed to extraordinary aging periods stored in small old oak barrels. Today these wines are more rare and this tradition is dying slowly out with the older generation, that was the reason that back 20 years ago Rene Barbier (Clos Mogador) and Jaume Balaguer (Celler Balaguer I Cabré) started the project of Celler Arrels del Priorat, with the intention of reviving this old tradition and bring this true treasures, the great rancio wine from the Priorat to the new generations and make them known again. Today their hard work has been rewarded with the maximun 100 points by the prestigious Wine Advocate, Robert Parker’s magazine.
The wines which result have a powerful aroma reminiscent of nuts and melted or even rancid butter with a special character of fullness and richness, reminiscent of rich fruit cakes, flavours of candied fruit, sultanas, almonds and walnuts. Quite complex, untuous and dense with a beautifully palate both sour and sweet and some residual sugar noted. They are a good accompaniment to the local hazelnuts and almonds and can be enjoyed as an after meal drink.
