Wine Region: Priorat

(2008) Only 6000 bottles of this wine are produced, from old vines Cariñena and Garnacha, aged 15 months on the lees in French oak. It has a vibrant, deep colour, with very ripe, fruit-forward nose, with lots of juicy redcurrant and cherry crunch. Lovely freshness on the palate too, some chocolate and dense black plum, but retains its bright and crunchy structure with supple, creamy tannins and excellent length.

(2000) Tobacco, smoke and sweet and sour cherry fruit dominate the nose. The palate is much more subdued. There doesn't seem to be a lot to this in the mouth. Difficult.

(2000) This wine is an unholy blend of Grenache and Carignan with 15% of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Pinot Noir in the mix. It has a very elegant profile with a sheen of creamy oak and lots of sweet, smoky fruit. The palate has an earthy, tobacco character as well as quite refined cherry and blackberry fruit. Good length. Classy.

(2000) Lightish nose with toffee and creamy berry nose. This has a terrific sourness with rubbery, slightly volatile notes, dark chocolate and cherry fruit. Gorgeous. Big, rustic style - not barnyardy or dirty, but loads of chunky fruit character. Brilliant and distinctive.

(2000) Extraordinarily concentrated nose of prunes and (somehow) crushed beetles. Inky and deep on the palate this has more slightly stewed pruny fruit and good tannins and acidity, though possibly a little disjointed.

(2000) This is another wine with toasty, charry French oak dominating the nose, layering mocha-coffee nuances onto bright berryish fruit. The palate has good fruit: cherry and a liquorice edge, also firm, chunky tannins and balanced acidity. This is an interesting style - much more refined than the Masía Barril, yet still a hint of exotic wildness. Needs a year or two to come together.

(1999) Unfortunately my bottle tasted unusually thin, flat and bitter: indicating this bottle was almost certainly corked. A pity, as there were vestiges of very nice fruit with interesting herb and mineral qualities. Might well be worth a punt.