Clos I Terrasses, Laurel, 2018

The Laurel - the second, younger vine wine from Clos I Terrasses - is a fabulous wine in its own right. The warm soils of Gratallops and a blend of mostly Grenache and a little Syrah (with decreasing amounts of Cabernet) means we’ve previously called it “a Latin-tinged Châteauneuf-du-Pape.”

Vintage report from Daphne:
The 2018 vintage started off very well, with frequent rains from January thru May, with even a snowy episode in March. The view of the Montsant dusted with snow that morning was gorgeous, if unexpected.

The perfect conditions at the time of fruit set produced a riot of grapes, which were sustained thru the summer thanks to a few showers, just when we needed them, in spite of the temperatures climbing up steadily. Even though August turned out to be very hot, as often in the Priorat the breezes blowing from the Mediterranean kept the plants cool enough for them to keep maturing the grapes steadily. By the end of summer, it was clear that we had an amazing harvest ahead of us, with the grapes being not only perfect but plentiful. This was the first time ever we reached 21 hectolitres per hectare.

As a result the wines are fresh, vibrant, with a perfect armature of crisp fruit and acidity as well as a bright colour. Both have an ethereal character making this vintage very special. Laurel is an explosion of flowers and red fruit, slightly on the tart side, yet fleshy, raspberries, bing cherries, white peach, orange and thyme blossoms. Clos Erasmus develops slowly in the glass, revealing first the graphite aromas which have travelled all the way from its roots, followed by blackberries, cranberries, licorice all wrapped up in soft tannins. An intriguing, juicy, teasing wine which engages your palate entirely.

Laurel 2018: Blend: 70% Garnatxa, 15% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.
From the younger vines, as well as the occasional declassified barrel of Clos Erasmus and the few grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon still on the estate. Destemmed, hand sorted and slightly crushed, it is vinified in wooden and concrete vats and macerated for 4 weeks. It aged in wooden and concrete vats, second and third year 228L barrels and amphorae. The many different containers add a specific touch each by letting the parcels develop their own character.