ALVARO PALACIOS 2022 'FINCA DOFI' PRIORAT

WINE ADVOCATE (95-97) POINTS - "The 2022 Finca Dofí was produced with 88% Garnacha, 9% Cariñena, 2% Picapoll and 1% white grapes from a 12.5-hectare slope planted 18 to 38 years ago. It fermented with part of full clusters in oak vats with indigenous yeasts and had a maceration of 32 days. It matured in oval oak foudres and large French oak barrels for a period of 14 months. It has 14.4% alcohol and a pH of 3.46 and 4.8 grams of acidity. It has a little more color and ripeness, and it's quite spicy, with notes of licorice and an earthy twist. Palacios told me Picapoll has provided very good acidity and low alcohol; some years they used up to 6% of it (they started grafting it some 12 years ago from the old plants from his old winemaker, Joan Asens). They expected to fill around 28,000 bottles in March 2024."

DECANTER MAGAZINE 95 POINTS - "Dofí (‘the dauphin’) is the step up from the Vi de Vila Gratallops. Fruit is sourced from three vineyards in the village, totalling 12.5ha. Aromatically it’s full of plump berries. The wine arrives like juice in the mouth, then blossom with fresh citrus. It’s a crisp, lively wine, with a fine texture, finishing with a flurry of savoury notes, plus a firm grip. Vinya Classificada. 27,860 bottles produced."

JAMES SUCKLING 95 POINTS - "Fine minerals with a mixture of fresh blue and red berries. Nimble and elegant, with juicy berries and mineral tension along with firm tannins. Excellent length, elegance and purity from this warm and dry vintage. Drink or hold."