Álvaro Palacios Finca Dofi, 2019, Priorat, Catalonia, Spain

Our View:

A gorgeous grenache from the incredible Priorat region of Spain. Álvaro Palacios is one of the most respected winemakers in the region and this elegant red wine is a great example of the quality that can be produced there. 

The Wine:

Álvaro Palacios is one of a group of winemakers credited with putting Priorat back on the viticultural map. In the 1980's, after studying winemaking in Bordeaux and a subsequent stint working at Château Petrus, Álvaro decided not to return to his family winery in Rioja. Instead, he followed a group of intrepid winemakers, including René Barbier, to the region of Priorat. 

Álvaro makes some of the most highly regarded and sought-after wines in the region, such as this Finca Dofí, made from the first vineyard he acquired in 1990. The Finca Dofi is perfumed and is the epitomy of elegance in a glass. Ready to drink now or will continue to age well for several years to come. 

Álvaro's work on redefining the Priorat classification has been very important in helping to elevate individual villages and vineyards in this region. The focus now is very much on grapes such as Garnacha and Cariñena (locally known as Samsó), both much better suited to expressing the characteristics of this rugged terroir and its licorella soils. Álvaro's Priorat wines are elegant, always profoundly layered, mineral, and expressive. 

Tasting Note:

A bright and juicy wine radiating notes of red cherry, wild Mediterranean herbs, earth and slatey minerality derived from the Licorella soils. It is smooth on the palate with exceptionally fine tannins and a wonderful freshness.

(Organic)

The Facts:

What the critics say:

97 Points - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: 

"The single-vineyard red 2019 Finca Dofí comes from the 14 hectares of vines planted across three parajes (lieu-dits) in Gratallops. This year, it's 87% Garnacha, 12% Cariñena and 1% white grapes (Garnacha Blanca and Macabeo. It fermented in oak vats with indigenous yeasts and matured in large oak barrels (bocoyes and foudres) for 14 months. It's classy, elegant and fresh with very clean aromas and flavors, not lacking concentration or power. There is superb definition and purity here; it has to be the finest and most elegant Dofí to date. It has finer tannins and more elegance than La Baixada this year. The 2018 was fragrant and this has more clout but superb balance. These two vintages have been great for Dofí. I still remember the 2005, hard as nails then and what the wine is now—spherical and velvety. Dofí on a roll...”

James Suckling

”Cracked cloves and white pepper with dark fruit and iron. Perfumed and subtle. It’s full-bodied with a vertical layer of very fine tannins that give a creamy and round texture that turns almost powdery. Flavorful finish, yet refined. Give this time to open. Try after 2023”.