Alvaro Palacios Camins del Priorat (75cl, 14.5%)

Alvaro Palacios Camins del Priorat is a 14.5% ABV Garnacha-led red blend from Priorat, Catalonia, Spain, in a 750ml bottle. Álvaro Palacios arrived in Priorat in the late 1980s. The blend is 40% Garnacha, 30% Samsó (Carignan), 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah, from vines on licorella slate and quartz soil. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel and oak vats, followed by four to six months in barriques and oak vats. The aroma opens with vibrant red cherry and pomegranate, then blackcurrant, licorice, potpourri, oyster-shell minerality and dark roasted coffee. The palate is supple and velvety, with ripe blueberry, boysenberry, marjoram, violet and white pepper. The finish is medium-long, with crushed raspberry, slate minerality and black tea.