From: Catalunya, Spain
Blend: 70% Garnacha, 30% Cariñena
Winemaker Notes. While originally conceived of as a value wine, Les Terrasses has slowly evolved into Álvaro’s statement of what makes Priorat special. Drawing on 15+ years of study, Terrasses is sourced from many of the region’s steepest and oldest vineyards—many of them north-facing to avoid the intense afternoon sun. Today, Les Terrasses is today perhaps the single finest introduction to Priorat in the marketplace.
Tasting Notes and Critical Acclaim: The wine displays a bright, ruby-red color and exudes aromas of ripe raspberries, red licorice, and a touch of dried sage. The palate is medium to full-bodied, showcasing fine-grained tannins and a distinctive minerality. Notes of berry fruits are entwined with subtle spices and hints of smoke and toast. The wine exhibits a remarkable freshness, attributed to a tinge of orange peel acidity, which perfectly balances the wine's concentration. The finish is focused and lingering. This elegant and polished Priorat is ready to be enjoyed now but can also be cellared for future complexities to evolve.
"Enticingly fresh and nicely fruity nose with racy dark strawberries, cherries, slate, white pepper and spiced blueberries. Juicy, ripe and vibrant with fine, mealy tannins on the medium-bodied palate. Very harmonious and expressive. Delicious now, but will hold." –James Suckling, 93 points (July 2023)
"Defined by creamy tannins, this harmonious medium- to full-bodied red offers an expressive range of roasted plum, black raspberry and fig cake notes. Lively on the palate, with aromatic accents of mountain herbs, licorice, white pepper and vanilla lingering on the chewy finish." –Wine Spectator, 93 points (February 2024)
Pairing: Given its robust character, the 2021 Alvaro Palacios Les Terrasses Priorat pairs well with hearty dishes that can stand up to its intense tannins. Grilled meats or vegetables are a natural match, although we recommend avoiding chili heat due to the wine's alcohol content.
For an extraordinary pairing experience, consider coupling this Priorat with game meats such as venison, hare, or wild boar (check out the recipe below), all slow-cooked. Local dishes from the region—or across the Pyrenees from south-west France—like cassoulet, Toulouse sausages with Puy lentils, or duck confit can create harmony on the palate that beautifully illustrates the connection between food and wine.
Wild Boar Ragù
Recipe from Caterina Schenardi and Daniele Boldrini
Adapted by Jeff Gordinier
About. Recently named the 2015 "Man of the Year" by Decanter Magazine , Alvaro Palacios is an important figure in the wine industry. This prestigious title is awarded to people who have made an exceptional contribution to the universe of wine.
The son of the owners of Rioja's Palacios Remondo, Alvaro Palacios spent his early 20s working and studying winemaking outside of Spain. His experience abroad - particularly in Bordeaux - instilled in him a deep passion for great wines and led him to return to Spain with the ambition to make wines that could be world-class. To achieve this dream, Palacios was drawn to the historic hillsides of slate soil and its traditional grape varieties of Garnacha and Carinena. Now widely considered to be among the more important new Spanish wineries in a generation, Alvaro Palacios embodies the spirit of "The New Spain."
