Alvaro Palacios Priorat Les Terrasses 2017

Alvaro Palacios is the man who essentially put Priorat back on the map, and while his rare, single-vineyard bottlings fetch small fortunes, Les Terrasses is where his heart truly beats for the everyday enthusiast. This isn’t just a second label; it’s a love letter to the rugged, steep, slate-covered hills of the region.

The 2017 vintage was a warm one, and it shows in the wine’s incredible concentration. Sourced from over 80 different parcels of old vines (some up to 90 years old!) across eight villages, this is a regional wine in the most soulful sense. In the glass, it’s a deep, brooding purple. On the nose, you’re met with an explosion of black cherry, wild herbs (think rosemary and thyme), and that unmistakable graphite minerality that only the local llicorella slate soils can provide.

On the palate, it’s a study in balance. Despite the heat of the year, there’s a surprising freshness and a crunchy red fruit core that keeps the bold tannins in check. It’s structured and serious enough to age for another decade, but honestly, with a quick decant, it’s singing right now.