Barrel sample. I look forward to retasting when it has had a chance to settle in the bottle to check whether my enthsiasm now is deserved. This is the former 1902 Centenary Carignan, on release it will carry the name of the vineyard parcel and the Gran Vinya Classificada category. Bursting with Carignan’s typical blueberry fruit, and layered with lime acidity. Undoubtedly there’s Cariñena's rustic, almost rasping edge that balances well the flush of fruit. Very long and concentrated and still very young. Release date: September 2023.

Delicate dark fruits, light notes of plum and touches of blueberry, minor earthy notes developing on top of a bed of milk chocolate and light lavender floral notes. Delicate and effortless on the palate, fine fruit and tannin textures with lengthy, fine acidity that threads through into the length finish.

The 2021 1902 Tossal d'en Bou is now a gran vinya classificada, the official grand cru category from Priorat. It comes from one of the first costers (slopes, very steep ones) planted in Poboleda after phylloxera and is mostly Cariñena with some 5% Garnacha. It has the classical notes of graphite, tree bark, violets, Mediterranean herbs and fine spices. There's agility, fluidity and elegance combined with power, concentration and freshness, with some acid berry flavors in the finish. The hand-destemmed berries fermented with neutral yeasts in stainless steel, and the wine matured for 14 months in barrels, mostly new, despite which the wine is not oaky. This is a monumental Cariñena with power and elegance. It was bottled in December 2022.

Old vine Carignan (Cariñena) from Priorat from one of three ‘Gran Cru’ vineyards in the region. Importer: United Cellars.

Bright, dark raspberry, stony, some spice and dried herb. It’s light, floral, supple tannin, almost Pinot-like in delivery, but a bit more savoury with that dried herb, dried orange in the mix, some blue fruits, and a very long fresh finish. Expressive and different. Fine wine.