Les Terrasses, Tinto Cosecha

Romazini: 3/5 Stars

The Winespectator: 90/100 Points

Vintage 2008: This medium-bodied red shows balance and drive, with cherry, berry, mountain herb and smoke notes, supported by firm, smooth tannins and fresh acidity. Compact and focused. Drink now through 2016.

Robert Parker: 91-94/100 Points

The 2009 Les Terrasses displays a lovely nose of exotic spices, black fruits, and liquid minerals. It offers greater depth, aging potential, and length than the 2008.

Alvaro Palacios established his namesake winery in 1989. The flagship L'Ermita made its debut in 1993. Finca Dofi and L'Ermita vineyards are farmed biodynamically. All of the wines are bottled without filtration. In 2008 Palacios was the last grower in Priorat to harvest, waiting out rains that diluted other growers' fruit. It appears that 2009 was a slightly more successful vintage for Alvaro Palacios (and most Priorat producers) than was 2008. All of the 2009s were tasted from barrel samples at the Bodega in January 2011.