Clos Erasmus Laurel

In the rugged landscape in the northeast corner of Spain lies the tiny village of Priorat. The Priorat, or Priorato to the Catalans, is one of the oldest vine growing areas in the Mediterranean. Here viticulture dates back almost two millennia, with the ancient varieties of Garnacha, Mazuelo and Syrah playing their harmonious symphony much like they do in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France, to make powerful and utterly delicious wine.

Yet for all its history, this region remains relatively unknown. But for those willing to explore, much wine-drinking drama can be had.

Priorat was “rediscovered” in the early 1990s by a group of pioneering vintners – Daphne Glorian, Rene Barbier and Alvaro Palacios. As Daphne noted in the Financial Times, the three of them simply fell in love with Priorat and its ancient vines. Yet all of this amazing fruit was being sold off to the local co-op, to be poured into bulk juice. To them, it was stunning to see such a wild and rugged landscape produce almost mystical level of grapes, which in turn went into the most common of plonk. They decided to do something about this situation, and bought a vineyard, collectively raised a winery and create some of the worlds most dramatic wines. At first they were joined by two others, and then finally, the collective grew to eight, known as the Vinya del Vuit, or “The 8” – all youngsters who recognized the greatness that these parched hills held, and started making wine.

If you’ve never heard of Daphne before, I can understand. Her winery’s top wine, creates all of about 100 cases a year. Yup, that is the entire production of a wine that has scored a perfect 100 point rating for more than a third the vintages in which its been created. We are blessed here at Waterford to have a slightly larger parcel of Clos Erasmus’ Laurel. Laurel, named after the tree that graces these steep terraced vineyards, is effectively a “second” wine as in the Bordeaux tradition – a wine that drinks well now, while you’re waiting for your Clos Erasmus to mature. But I know to Daphne it’s not considered a “second” as the process is exactly the same, with Laurel coming from younger vines (average age 30 – which in most place is considered “ancient vines”) instead of the 100+ of the main wine, and also having Cabernet in the blend at around 15%. 

And here is a delicious Priorat—a big, gutsy, powerful Spanish wine that is sure to please any Cabernet lover, or anyone who relishes bold red wine. If you haven’t tried Priorat before, here is your chance – because this example is simply stunning. The nose opens with loads of blueberry, black raspberry and black cherry fruit, crushed rock, and floral notes that are so obvious in many Priorats. You will detect that the palate was dense and full-structured with all it’s ripe fruit is utterly delicious. The palate doesn’t lack for structure or weight either—every Cabernet lover will be thrilled with how massive this wine is.

Having visited the Priorat I can tell you this – its nothing short of stunning. Both the landscape and the people who farm it, but also the resulting wines. This wine is one of the best, which makes it one of the most intriguing and magical wines in the world. As noted, we got a small parcel of it. Don’t miss it.