The flagship, the 2008 L’Ermita, comes from a remarkably steep 4.4 acre, 70-year-old vineyard planted to 100% Garnacha and is aged in 100% new oak. It delivers a profound perfume of exotic spices, kinky wild berry aromas, incense, liquid minerality, black raspberry, and black cherry. In this vintage it is relatively forward with considerable elegance, a sophisticated personality, great depth and balance, and a pure, fruit-filled finish. It is one of the benchmark wines of the DO. 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. Importer: Mannie Berk, The Rare Wine Company, Sonoma, CA; tel. (800) 999-4342; www.rarewineco.com

This red shows the tension and elegance typical of L'Ermita, but in a lighter style. Aromatic, with floral and herb notes, this offers pretty berry and spice flavors supported by firm tannins. The finish is long and clean.—Non-blind L'Ermita vertical (May 2013). Drink now through 2018. 63 cases made.??–TM??Region: Spain / Priorat Select to Add

(100% garnacha, from vines that are reportedly about 70 years old) Bright ruby. Smoky, powerful aromas of blackberry, cherry compote, licorice and violet. Weighty but energetic, offering sweet dark fruit flavors that reach every corner of the palate. Blends power with vivacity, showing an array of spice and floral qualities on the long, pure and seductively spicy finish. This is a baby and really deserves at least another five years of ageing.