The nose shows pencil and smoke. It is quite similar to that of the Aubaguetes, but it is finer and not so rustic. Yes, we have black slate, but it is infinitely finely woven. Black cherry, very chic and at the same time very spicy. Only then comes licorice with elderberry and mint, plus that herbaceous spiciness from the raps. The whole without corners and edges, just fine and highly aromatic with violets. Very independent! However, the revelation comes in the mouth: infinite delicacy… The 60% whole grapes are no longer felt in the mouth. They merely create the freshness and herbaceous underpinnings beneath an immense mass of black cherry and sweet black forest fruit. A bit of blueberry and a bit of yellow fruit to boot. Also cranberry, sloe and sour cherry. Incredibly fine and the whole thing spiced up with slate and black rock. Very, very fancy and very distinctive. Hard to confuse with anything else in the world. Priorat is Priorat and L’Ermita is certainly the king of Priorat wines because it is so infinitely fine and yet brings out all the characteristics of the slate soils and Grenache. Great stuff!
Álvaro Palacios L’Ermita 2022 3x75cl 100+/100 HL
Top Score: 100+ points!
“Priorat is Priorat and L’Ermita is certainly the king of Priorat wines because it is so infinitely fine”
Price IN BOND
£2,175.00 3 x 75cl Bottles
3 in stock
| Colour | Red |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Priorat |
100+ points Heiner Lobenberg
99 points James Suckling
This wine comes from a warm, dry vintage, but it doesn’t retain the heat. On the contrary, it is delicate, agile and elegant, as are the rest of Palacios’ wines this year from Priorat. Only the tannin texture, which is slightly firmer and more present this year, shows the vintage character. Immense purity from its raspberry, pomegranate, mineral and white pepper notes, with touches of grilled herbs and lard. Not quite full-bodied, but the mineral tension gives it elasticity and weight. This is still closer to the more delicate and refined 2021 than to the richer and more concentrated 2020 in style, despite its vintage warmth. Stony in the finish. Drink or hold.
99 points Decanter
L’Ermita is the second of Alvaro Palacios’ top wines to gain the Gran Vinya Classificada category. The vineyard now measures 4.7ha; it increased when Palacios and René Barbier swapped land. Work has been done to graft red varieties onto white vines. The result of the labours – including the permissions required from the Archbishop of Zaragoza for this holy hermitage – is a delight. Gloriously aromatic nose, introducing a wonderfully complex palate of cherries integrated with savoury notes, a shaft of minerality, wild herbs, and dark fruit conserve. Well-deserving of its reputation as one of Spain’s great wines. Gran Vinya Classificada. 4,930 bottles produced.
