Spot Offer #107: 2013 Clos Figueras “Serras del Priorat”

[ 2013 Clos Figueras “Serras del Priorat” ]


PRODUCER PROFILE | Clos Figueras

PRIVATE IMPORT | ORDER ONLINE


[ Why We Love It: ]

The playful label adorning this bottle belies the impressive nectar you’ll discover after pulling the cork. Produced by the Cannan family, owners of Clos Figueras, this wine is a delicious introduction to the style and profile of Spain’s Priorat appellation. With a winemaking heritage originally dating back to Roman times, one can only imagine that these dramatic cliffside vineyards proved too challenging and too expensive a place to make wine – and has only reemerged over the past couple of decades as a preeminent wine producing region of Spain.

This terroir is unique both in its climate and geography, creating a place where grape vines are forced to struggle immensely against nature just to survive and yield a crop. This struggle means that each vine produces very few clusters of fruit, and these scarce clusters tend to have very small berries. This remarkable low ratio of juice to skin is important in that it leads to staggeringly intense and concentrated wines. These features have helped make the wines of Priorat in general, and Clos Figueras in particular, amongst the most sought after Spanish reds in our entire line-up.

[ Recipes & Food Pairings: ]

Duck Confit + Cranberry Stuffed Taquitos – RECIPE

Lamb Chops w/ Pomegranate-Pistachio Couscous – RECIPE

Skirt Steak w/ Shallot, Thyme + Mustard Sauce – RECIPE

[ Price: ]

BOTTLE: $40

CASE: $240

BUY THIS WINE

[ Technical Specs: ]

ALCOHOL: 14.5%

BOTTLE: 750mL

CASE PACK: 6 x 750mL

GRAPES: 55% Grenache, 20% Carignan, 15% Syrah + 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

VINEYARD AGE: 10 to 15 years old

CLOSURE: Natural Cork

CELLAR POTENTIAL: 5 to 7 years

SERVING TEMPERATURE: 17°C to 18°C

[ Tasting Notes: ]

“The entry-level red 2013 Serras del Priorat is a fresh and fruit-driven effort. A blend of Garnacha, Mazuelo (Cariñena), Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, it shows aromas of plums, violets and Mediterranean herbs with a vegetal twist on the nose and the rustic palate is framed by fine-grained , slightly dusty tannins. Very good, if slightly anonymous, and a very good value for Priorat.”

90 / 100 Points

Luis Gutierrez / eRobertParker.com

“Bright violet color. Lively, mineral-accented aromas of cassis, cherry pit and black pepper, with a hint of cola in the background. Spicy and sharply focused, offering lively dark berry and bitter cherry flavors with zesty mineral bite. Shows very good clarity and lift on the finish, with smooth tannins sneaking up slowly.”

90 / 100 Points

Josh Raynolds / Vinous.com

Spot Offer: 2013 Clos Figueras “Serras del Priorat”


[ TAGS: ]

#Grenache #Carignan #Priorat #Clos Figueras #Spain