The flagship 2007 Vall-Llach is 70% Carinena, 15% Merlot, and 15%
Cabernet Sauvignon aged in new French oak for 14 months. Much of the
Carinena is from estate vines over 100 years of age. It reveals an
already complex perfume of fresh herbs, underbrush, slate, incense, and
brooding black fruits that soars from the glass. Considerably more
structured than its siblings, it has the stuffing to evolve for 8-10
years. Savory, plush, and built for pleasure, it will reward extended
cellaring and deliver prime drinking from 2018 to 2035. Importer: Folio
Fine Wine Partners, Napa, CA; www.foliowines.com
The 2007 Idus de Vall-Llach was produced from older vines, some of it
purchased, with the focus on Carinena. It received nearly the same
elevage as the Embruix while spending 14 months in French oak.
Purple/black in color, it exhibits a brooding aromatic array of wet
stone, licorice, fruitcake, plum, and blackberry. Thick, rich, and
full-bodied on the palate, it has layers of fruit, a silky texture, and
impeccable balance. Give it 2-3 years of additional cellaring and drink
it from 2013 to 2027. Importer: Folio Fine Wine Partners, Napa, CA;
www.foliowines.com
2007 Celler Vall Llach Embruix *A Proprietary Blend Dry Red Table wine from Priorat, Spain,
Review by
/WA/ # , #188 (Apr 2010)
Rating: 91 Drink -
Cost: $25
Celler Vall-Llach and the wine's importer have wisely decreased the
price of the entry-level 2007 Embruix de Vall-Llach to the point that it
is one of Priorat's best values. Made from the estate's younger vines,
it is a blend of 30% Garnacha, 30% Carinena, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon,
with the balance Merlot and Syrah. Fifty percent of the wine was
barrel-fermented and all of it was aged for 16 months in 225 and
300-liter seasoned French oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it
offers up an enticing bouquet of underbrush, damp earth, mineral,
incense, black currant and black cherry. This is followed by a
full-bodied, dense, savory wine with layers of spicy fruit and a
lengthy, pure finish. It can be enjoyed now but will benefit from 1-2
years of additional cellaring. Importer: Folio Fine Wine Partners, Napa,
CA; www.foliowines.com
6/5/2010
Financial Times Wine spirits visitors to a region once in decline
El Priorat
High in the hills above the small southern Catalan town of Porrera, the terrain is so steep and rocky
that it is hard to imagine a plant up here producing any kind of fruit after the long, dry summers for which the area is known.
But the vines of the Priorat wine region are nothing if not hardy. The stunted, well-pruned plants – some a century old – send their roots as far as eight or nine metres into the ground in search of a few crumbs of friable soil and a taste of moisture.
It is this perpetual struggle in the face of scorching summer heat and icy winters that gives Priorat wines the deep colours,
extraordinary potency and mineral attributes now prized by wine lovers from Berlin to Boston.
In modern times, none of these qualities counted for much until the 1990s. El Priorat – named after the Carthusian monastery of Escaladei (“the staircase of God”) that oversaw the region for 600 years – was
marked by poverty and decline in the decades after the Spanish civil war of the 1930s.
The local wine was sold to give colour and body to cheap, bulk-produced wines in Spain and France. Even this business faltered when other wine
regions developed methods of adding colour and alcohol to their output. El Priorat’s younger inhabitants migrated to the cities and some vineyards were simply abandoned.
It took a combination of inspired vineyard owners and investors – they now include famous names such as Gérard Depardieu, the French actor – and government aid for small growers to develop the potential of Priorat as an international
brand.
“The revolution in the 1990s was that we started to think of wine for the end-consumer, not for bulk sales,” says Salustià Alvarez, chairman of the Priorat. wine region’s regulatory council and winemaker for Vall Llach.
“With the Priorat brand we succeeded in that the wine experts of America, France and the UK sensed the mineralisation of this terroir. The great value of El Priorat is in the soil.”
Globalisation has been essential for the success of this microeconomy within Catalonia.
Growing export markets such as those of Switzerland and Austria are complemented by occasional surges of demand from places such as Dubai or Mexico.
Owners and investors, meanwhile, include enthusiasts from South Africa, the UK, Switzerland, France, Italy and the US as well as Spain.
Some Priorat wines are now acknowledged as being among the world’s finest.
L’Ermita, one of those produced by Alvaro Palacios, member of a well-known wine family of La Rioja, has sold for €600 a bottle, according to Mr Alvarez.
But for this mountainous inland region away from the tourist resorts of the Mediterranean coast, probably the most important economic
benefit of the wine industry’s revival is the way it has attracted new visitors, whether weekenders from Barcelona or amateur wine lovers from Europe and the US.
This in turn has generated further interest in the wines and thus completed a virtuous circle of complementary economic sectors.
David Esteller Martí, who runs the tourism development programme for the Priorat comarca (an area of about 10,000 inhabitants that includes but is not identical to the wine region
of the same name), says traditional footpaths and other infrastructure are being restored to promote wine-walking tours “based on the special nature of the countryside and the quality of the wines”.
He estimates that about 30,000 tourists went last year to the 45 bodegas, or wine cellars, of the comarca that receive visitors.
The revival of the tourist sector is evident in the growth in the number of casas rurales – small country hotels and lodgings – partly with the help of European Union aid funds. In
1999, there were just seven, but by 2006 the number had grown to 40 and has now reached 50.
“The idea is to diversify the economy away from agriculture,” says Mr Esteller.
El Priorat has not escaped the effects of the global crisis and the economic recession in Catalonia and Spain.
Before the Spanish property bubble burst, construction magnates were eager to invest in an apparently glamorous business such as wine. “So there was over-investment and production
was much higher,” says Mr Alvarez. “Prices became volatile.” Weekend visitors from Barcelona,
furthermore, started to spend less money on eating out, and tended to arrive on Saturdays, instead of on Friday nights. The only consolation was that some Spaniards who would once have flown to London
or Paris for a short holiday decided to take their vacations closer to home.
Investment in wine and tourism in El Priorat has nevertheless had a palpably beneficial effect on the local economy.
And the decision to aim for quality rather than quantity was all but inevitable for a winery such as Vall Llach, where the slopes are so steep that most of the work must be done by
hand, and it can take as many as seven vines to produce a single bottle of red wine.
“Wine is the engine of the economy, the reference,” says Mr Alvarez, “and after that the big engine that accompanies it is the quality of the countryside and tourism.”
He indicates the harsh terrain around him and recalls the high cost of working such difficult land. “But there is no point working here unless you are going to make quality wines.”
2010
Vivir el vino. La guía. 365 vinos al año
Celler Valll Llach
Celler Vall Llach fue creada a principios de los 90 por el
cantante Lluís Llach y el notario Enric Costa en la localidad
de Porrera, apostando por la microproducción controlada de sus
fincas y "trossos" (sus viñedos centenarios), buscando la calidad
por encima de la cantidad.
Tinto Vall Llach 2007 96
14º
Tinto con Crianza, Cariñena, Garnacha, Merlot y Cabernet. Crianza en barrica: 14 meses en roble francés. Crianza en botella: 3 meses. Grado alcohólico: 15% vol. Producción: 8.750 botellas.
La cata: Intensidad alta. Destacan los aromas de picotas y moras en licor. Notas
balsámicas y de monte mediterráneo sobre un fondo mineral de pizarra. En boca es amplio, carnoso,
con importante acidez, y un final largo y torrefactadi. Gastronomía: Caza. Consumo: 2 a 3 años.
Tinto Embruix 2007 93 14º
Tinto con Crianza, Cariñena, Garnacha, Merlot, Syrah y Cabernet. Crianza en barrica: 14 meses en roble francés. Crianza en botella: 3 meses. Grado alcohólico: 15% vol. Producción: 60.000 botellas. La cata:: Intensidad alta. Destacan los aromas de confitura de arándano y mora.
Notas de chocolate y menta sobre un fondo sándalo y carbón vegetal. En boca es suave, carnoso,
con tanino rugoso y un final largo y especiado. Gastronomía: Caza. Consumo: 2 a 3 años.
10/02/2010
Guía de Oro de los Vinos de España 2010
Vall Llach 2007 Puntos: 92
Oro
Idus de Vall Llach 2007 Puntos: 90
Plata
Embruix de Vall Llach 2007
Puntos: 92
Plata
10/02/2010
elmundovino.com
Vino del día
Idus de Vall Llach 2007
Bodega: Celler Vall Llach
País: España
Región: Cataluña (Priorat)
Año: 2007
Tipo: Tinto
Castas: Garnacha, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 15.00º
Consumo óptimo: De 2010 a 2017
Puntuación: 16.00/20
Cereza picota muy intenso, casi opaco. Aroma de buena intensidad, con muy buena expresión frutal (ciruelas, moras), respaldada por una madera tostada fina que aparece con nitdez al fondo pero sin arrollar a la fruta. En la boca muestra una buena estructura, buena acidez, gran intensidad frutal y buena expresión, que dan paso a un final muy notable y bastante armónico ya.
Fecha de cata: 28/01/2010
Catado por : Enrique Guzmán, Jens Riis, Manuel Puerto
26/01/2010
VALL LLACH PREMIAT COM A MILLOR VI A POLÒNIA
Top 75
La prestigiosa i més reconeguda revista de vins a Polònia “WINO Magazine” ha guardonat a VALL LLACH 2005 amb el premi d´or com a millor vi negre del any 2009.
El premi va ser otorgat aquest passat dilluns 7 de desembre en una cerimònia-tast a Varsòvia, amb el resultat per unanimitat entre els 24 membres del jurat (5 periodistes i 19 sommeliers), i una massiva presència dels mitjans de comunicació del país.
En representació del CELLER VALL LLACH , varen viatjar a la capital polonesa per recollir aquesta apreciada distinció Albert COSTA (enòleg i fill d’Enric COSTA , copropietari de CELLER VALL LLACH), i Andréas CLAUS (director comercial i de marketing del Celler).
Enero 2010
Guía Repsol de los mejores vinos de España
Top 75
Dentro de la Guía Repsol (antes Guía Campsa) nos encontramos con la Guía de los Mejores Vinos de España que recoge más de 1.700 vinos
valorados por los mejores expertos, además de información de 700 bodegas también coordinada por la Real Academia Española de Gastronomía.
Vall Llach 2007
Puntos:95 (65/75)
Tipo de uva: 0% Cabernet Sauvignon, 0% Cariñena, 0% Merlot
Para combinar con: Estofados de carne.
Servir a: 15-17º
A la vista: Color granate intenso con ribetes violáceos.Brillante.
Por la nariz: Aromas a monte bajo, tostados, vainilla. Especiado.
Al paladar: Sobriedad, madurez, amplitud y calidez unidos a un equilibrio. Noble madera que marca su postgusto.
Idus de Vall Llach 2007
Puntos: 92
Tipo de uva: 0% Cabernet Sauvignon, 0% Cariñena, 0% Garnacha, 0% Merlot, 0% Syrah.
Para combinar con: Carnes estofadas.
Servir a: 15-17º
A la vista: Bonito aspecto muy cubierto granate oscuro.Ribetes violaceos.
Por la nariz: Aroma a confitura de frutos rojos y dejos de tomillo salvaje. Tonos minerales.
Al paladar: En boca taninos jugosos y buen postgusto.Redondo y elegante.
15/01/2010
El Periódico de Catalunya
La vendimia poética de Llach
Decidió retirarse del mundanal ruido. Alejarse de los focos. Pero como buen viticultor, mantiene intacta su querencia por los maridajes. El cantautor Lluís Llach no puede remediar seguir aunando poesía y música (aunque ya no sean de su autoría). Y ayer presentó en una sala de El Raval el CD-libro Terra i cultura, con una selección de 18 poemas catalanes musicados por los 450 artistas que se han presentado al Premi Miquel Martí i Pol (patrocinado por su bodega Celler Vall Llach). El trabajo en cuestión (10.000 ejemplares) se distribuye este mes con la revista Enderrock (aunque solo el álbum) y a partir de febrero llegará a las librerías (a través de Cossetània Edicions) y a centros de educación secundaria.
«Me honra formar parte de esta iniciativa que recupera la tradición de que las canciones estén al servicio de algo. Un material que permitirá que los maestros de muchas escuelas de Catalunya, Baleares y el País Valencià lo utilicen para ayudar a los niños a conocer a nuestros grandes poetas a través de la música», valoró el artista de Verges. «Me siento como una gallina clueca por edad y por poder escuchar estas canciones, que es como levantar un acta notarial de la actividad cultural de nuestro país».
Desde la jubilación.
El autor de L’estaca subrayó que este proyecto «entronca con la vieja tradición de la cancó [como le gusta rebautizarla]: recurrir a nuestros poetas para decir aquello que era conveniente decir y que ellos decían mucho mejor que nosotros. Reivindico desde mi jubilación a cantautores como Josep Tero, a grandes voces como Marina Rossell y Maria del Mar. Y lo de gallina ponedora va sobre todo por la gente joven. Encontrarse con artistas como Sílvia Pérez Cruz ha sido realmente como un milagro».
De hecho, Pérez Cruz, la joven cantante catalana más reclamada de los últimos tiempos, fue una de las grandes protagonistas del acto con su sentida interpretación de Covava l’ou de la mort blanca, de la desa-parecida Maria-Mercè Marçal. En realidad, lo suyo fue llegar y besar el santo: se trata de la primera composición suya que edita y gracias a ella ha ganado la reciente segunda edición del certamen. Además, en un año en el que coincide precisamente con colegas de más larga trayectoria, como Bonet y Rossell, curiosamente cantando también versos de Marçal. Un dato curioso: el compacto incluye hasta seis poemas de esta escritora y en cambio solo uno de Martí i Pol.
Llach, que ejerció de maestro de ceremonias, recordó que el jurado «no discutió ni un segundo sobre el hecho de que Sílvia tenía que ser la ganadora». Y una vez ya en el escenario, la cantante explicó que pudo conocer a Martí i Pol cuando era pequeña. Agradeció a Llach que «escuche las cosas con tanto amor». Y a Marçal, sus hermosos poemas. «Además, creo que ella ya había escrito la música de este poema en concreto. Solo había que buscarla y mira, algo he encontrado...». Llach presentó luego a Clara Andrés, «la ganadora del año pasado, con una canción sencilla; preciosa..» Y la joven valenciana no defraudó al abordar Personatges, de Josep Pedrals. Mientras que Joanjo Bosk, el segundo de esta edición, cantó con energía el difícil poema de Josep Palau i Fabre Beatus ille.
La puesta de largo de Terra i cultura fue en la Sala Horiginal), donde los martes se organizan catas y conferencias con enólogos, y los miércoles recitales de poesía. Y una última aclaración: cada edición del premio contará con su disco-libro, que incluye biografías de los poetas y de los intérpretes.
December 2009
Mi vino, N. 142
Wine: From Water, Wine
That anything liquid should issue from Priorat seems to the first-time visitor an unlikely prospect. Despite this Catalonian region’s two rivers, the Montsant and Siruana, its arid terrain of jagged peaks, rugged mesas, and dusty slopes is prone to drought. Yet, in 1994, Priorat ran to the opposite extreme when one of its towns, Porrera, suffered a devastating flood.
"The severe flooding really destroyed almost all of the town and a lot of the vines," says Catalan songwriter and singer Lluís Llach through a translator. "There was a severe economic depression. I thought about what I could do to bring life back into the town and to boost the economy. My friend Enric Costa and I decided to found a winery there. And so," he adds wryly, "Celler Vall Llach was born out of an excess of water."
Rather than locate their new winery outside the village, the two friends decided to integrate their business into the community. La Final—an ancient edifice that is also one of the region’s oldest winemaking facilities—seemed an ideal location, but the disaster had left it in shambles. Llach and Costa met with a number of citizens to ascertain whether the structure could be profitably converted into a modern winery. "We asked them for their acceptance," says Llach. "We did not want to build the winery outside the town, like strangers would. We wanted to build up the building, just like we wanted to build up the hope and the spirit of the town."
Llach’s concern for the people of Priorat stems from his own roots in the area: His mother was born not far from Porrera. Although the celebrated singer—who has been described as the Spanish Frank Sinatra—and his friend, a notary by profession, had no background in winemaking, they were admirers of vintners such as Alvaro Palacios and René Barbier of Clos Mogador, who were determined to make wines of superior quality and so restore the region’s lost tradition. Priorat takes its name from the prior of the local Carthusian monastery, Scala Dei, who introduced viticulture in the 12th century to his sovereign territory, or priorato, which encompassed seven villages. These vineyards flourished until the end of the 19th century, when phylloxera infestation destroyed many of the vines and drove away much of the population. Those who remained replanted a comparatively modest number of vineyards with the native Cariñena and Garnacha vines that—along with more recently planted international grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah—define the style of the Priorat wines we know today. Llach and Costa understood that having access to old-vine Cariñena and Garnacha was essential.
Fortunately, the men secured grapes from several vineyards near Torroja and Porrera that were planted at the turn of the 20th century. Many of these vines, now almost 100 years old, form the core of Celler Vall Llach’s flagship wine, Vall Llach ($85), which never contains less than 55 percent Cariñena. Combining 63 percent Cariñena with 24 percent Merlot and 13 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2005 vintage is a magnificent mélange of brambleberry, dark chocolate, dried sage, and star anise; yet at the heart of this massive red lies the earth. "What makes this old-vine Cariñena so special is its unique ability to express the minerality in the wines," says Llach. "The slate soil is the true maestro. We simply translate that landscape and put it into bottles."
Junio 2009
Mi vino, N. 142
Cata de vinos de Montsant y Priorat
Embruix 2006 *****
Celler Vall-Llach.
Fruta más madura de lo habitual, con bonita expresión floral y una crianza
protagonista. Goloso, de gratos taninos y final fresco que hace el conjunto
muy apetitoso.
2009
Guía Repsol 2009
Vall Llach 2006 95 puntos
Bodega: Celler Vall Llach
D.O.:Priorato
Uva: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cariñena, Merlot Comunidad Autonóma: Catalunya
2-29-08
Robert Parker. Wine Advocate. Issue 175
Celler Vall Llach 2005 Embruix Priorat ($34.00) Red 91
Celler Vall Llach 2005 Idus Priorat ($55.00) Red 94
Celler Vall Llach 2005 Vall Llach Priorat ($85.00) Red 96+
Celler Vall Llach was founded in 1992 by farned Catalan singer Lluís Llach (said to be
the Bob Dylan of Catalunya) and his friend Enric Costa.
The estate is located in the Priorat village Porrera. The 2005 Emhruix
("bewiched" in Catalan), sourced from the estate's younger vines is a blend of 38% Garnacha, 26% Cariñena
, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, and 6% Merlot. Fifty percent of the wine was barrel fermented and all
of it was aged for 16 months in seasoned French oak. Crimson-colored, the wine has an
attractive nose of cedar, tobacco, pencil lead, black cherry, and blackberry. Full-bodied, plush, forward, and
nearly seamless, it has lots of spicy dark fruits, silky tannin, excellent depth, and a pure finish.
Drink this pleasurable wine uver the next 5-8 years. The 2005 Idus is composed of 42% Cariñena, 20 Merlot, 15% Garnacha,
13% Cabernet Sauvignon, and l0% Syrah and spent 16 months is seasoned Frencha oak. Dark garnet-colored, it
offers up a complex perfume of wood smoke, tobbaco, mineral, wild blueberry, black cherry, and black currant. This leads
to a full-bodied, opulent, full-fiavored wine with lots of extraction, sweet, ripe fruit, well-conceated tannis, and a
least 6-8 years of aging potential. This lengthy, gratifying effort should drink well through 2030. Tho flagship 2005 Vall Llach
is composed of 65% Cariñena, 15% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Merlot aged for 12 months in new French oak. Many
of the Cariñena vines for this cuvee are pre-phylloxera. Opague purple-colored, it offers up a splendid aromatic array including
pain gotté, slate, mushroom, espresso, garrigue, blueberry, and black currant. Opulent, full-bodied, and rich, this pedal to
the metal Priorat possesses 8-10 years; that could well prove true allthough many of us will not be around to find out of
our delay of gratification will have long given out. Imported: Folio Fine Wine Partners. Napa, CA.
Octubre 2008
Restauradores
Vall Llach 2006. 92,33/100
V> Rojo picata cubierto, profundo, joven, arremolachado.
N> Se exhibe tremendamente aromático en esta fase, conformando un conjunto completo, dentro de la gama mediterránea, con carga frutal, notas
de chocolate, especias, naranja, mermelada, tonos tostados. B> Muy goloso a la entrada, musculoso, con un tanino firme y una carga de fruta importante que aporta un ligero dulzor.
ELABORACIÓN Y CRIANZA
Temperatura de fermentación: 26º/ Tiempo de fermentación: 20 días / Tiempo de maceración: 12 días / Envejece en barricas nuevas de roble francés / Tiempo en
barrica: 14 meses / Tiempo en botella: 4 meses
2008
Vinos de España lo mejor del Priorato. N. 73
Vall Llach 06 ***
Tinto (14 meses en barrica)
Celler Vall Llach
Atractivas notas golosas de fruta madura, puntas de maderas crcmosas
y ligero toque de pedernal; amplio, potente y amable a la vez, carnoso,
con una fruta madura que se mastica, notas de confitura de arándanos,
chocolate negro y toques mentolados, con gran persistencia.
Embruix de Vall Llach 06 **
Tinto (14 meses en barrica)
Celler Vall Llach
Muestra una nariz cremosa, con notas de toffee y maderas finas sobre fondos de confitura
de frutillos negros; en boca es amplio, con ataque amable y tacto carnoso, muy buena expresión frutal (cerezas maduras,
ciruelas), equilibrado y sabroso.
Idus de Vall Llach 06 **
Tinto (14 meses en barrica)
Celler Vall Llach
Nariz concentrada e intensa, notas de frutillos en compota, ciruela negra y cacao, envueltas en tonos tostados y cremosos del robele; en boca tiene
una buena estructua, nmotas de licor de moras junto a chocolate negro, pimienta y regaliz, con persistencia.
August 2007
Wine Enthusiast
SPAIN RED WINES. PRIORAT
96 Vall Llach 2004 Priorat; $85. Stand up and take note: this is great wine from
Priorat. And that's regardless of whether it is typically Priorato in style. lt trades
textbook minerality for lushness, and the fruit is star quality. ln the mouth,
there's an explosion of, grape matter that leaves coffee, chocolate, peanut brittle and vanilla. Almost
drinkable right now but best from 2009. Imported by Folio Fine Wine Partners. Edito's Choice. —M.S.
93 Vall Llach 2004 ldus (Priorat); $55. Deep and dark, this is an excellent `
kitchen-sink blend (it includes Carignan. Merlot, Cabernet, Garnacha and Syrah). For those who like
expressive, fruity, no-holds-barred wines, you're gonna swoon for this. The palate is super
lush and a full of dark cherry, tobacco, herbs and spice, while
the finish is mile-long. Outwardly impressive in a
modern style. Imported by Folio Fine Wine Partners. Edito's Choice. —M.S.
92 Vall Llach 2004 Embruix (Priorat).
Lovers of full-bodied, extracted Priorat wines know Vall Llach, ant that cult sees Embruix is a
good value. The 2004 is on the right track: the nose is almost impenetrable as it oozes blackberry, tar and fine leather.
Meanwhile, the
plate is like warm berry compote followed by espresso and dark chocolate. Very rich altrough not overly complex. Best now
whit steak or cheese, or hold until 2008. Imported by
Folio Fine Partners.
27/06/07
Wine Spectator
First look at our ededitor's most exciting new wineses
Vall llach
Priorat 2004
93 points | $85 | 450 cases imported | Red
This dense red shows a powerful structure, yet there’s also a tender texture, delivering sweet berry, garrigue and cocoa flavors that are pure and balanced. Built for the long haul. Best after 2009.—T.M.
Vall Llach
Priorat Idus 2004
91 points | $55 | 600 cases imported | Red
Solid, with plum, dark chocolate and mineral notes. Muscular tannins overshadow the fruit, but there’s enough acidity for freshness and the fruit emerges on the finish. Cariñena, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha and Syrah. Best after 2008.—T.M.
31 08 07
Wine Spectator
93 Vall Llach Priorat 2004.
This dense red shows a powerful structure, yet there’s also a tender texture,
delivering sweet berry, garrigue and cocoa flavors that are pure and balanced. This is built for the long haul. Decant now. Best after ZOO9. 450 cases imported.——T.M.
91 Vall Llach Priorat Idus 2004. A solid
red, with plum, dark chocolate and mineral notes. The
muscular tannins overshadow the fruit, but there’s enough
acidity for freshness and the fruit, but emerges on the finish.
Cariñena, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha and
Syrah. Best after 20008. 600 cases imported.—T.M.
12.2007
Wine Enthusiast
The Enthusiast
100. Our Editors Select the top drink-now wines of 2007
If you've followed our Best of Year issue over the years, you may have detected a
change in title here, and a third section a few pages further on. lt’s not mere cosmetics: This year, for the first time, we have separated the top Cellar Selections from the list of top—rated wines of the year. (See page 58 for our top 50 Cellar Selections.) The 100 wines on the pages immediately following are of such outstanding quality and craftsmanship that cellaring them for a few years is an option, but all are ready to be enjoyed now. Flead the notes carefully for that information.
You'll also notice that in all three sections the wines are not listed in strict order, according to descending score. Numeric score is just one factor in assembling these lists. We also considered price, availability, newsworthiness and excitement.
And we strived for balance, in terms of geography grape variety and type - a some- what even distribution of red and whites, still and sparklers, not forgetting fortified wines and dessert wines. Producers, too. were portioned: There is only one bottle
per brand, even if a certain producer scored well throughout the past year. One light caution before you charge out to your retail store, magazine in hand: These wines were reviewed throughout the year, and both price and availability may have changed.
70
96* Vall Llach 2004 Priorat; $85. Stand up and take note: This is great wine from
Priorat. Anrl that's regardless of whether it is typiecally Priorato in style. It trades textbook minerality
for lushness, and the fruit is star quality. In the mouth, there's an explosion of grape matter that
leaves coffee, chocolate, peanut brittle and vanilla.
Almost drinkable right now lint best from 2009.
Imported by Folio Fine Wine Partners.
2-28-07
Robert Parkers. Wine Advocate. Issue 169
The Enthusiast
100. Our Editors Select the top drink-now wines of 2007
Celler Vall Llach 2004 Embruix Priorat ($34.00) Red 89
Celler Vall Llach 2004 Idus Priorat ($55.00) Red 91
Celler Vall Llach 2004 Vall Llach Priorat ($85.00) Red 93+
2006
La Guia de oro de los vinos de España
Celler Vall Llach cuenta, además de con 42 ha de viñedo propio, con la colaboración
de los viticultores de la zona, propietarios de trossos que, durante muchos
años, han mantenido el cultivo de las viejas viñas de Cariñena y Garnacha.
En esta bodega se apuesta par la microproducción de sus tres marcas: Vall Llach, Idus y Embruix.
Vall Llach 03
Oro
Tinto * 17 meses en barrica. Guardar más de 5 años. 58 €
62% Cariñena, 25% MerIot y 13% Cabemet.
Muestra una nariz concentrada, notas de frutillos negros maduros y en confitura, recuerdos de hollejo maduro, tinta china y tonos yodados; en boca es amplio y carnoso, conm gran estructura (debe limar un poco el tanino), notas achocolatadas, fruta en licor y regaliz; persistente.
Embruix de Vall Llach 03
Plata
Tinto * 15 meses en barrica
Guardar 4-5 años. 17 €
30% Cariñena, 28% Cabemet, 22% Garnacha,15% Syrah y 5% Merlot. En nariz se
aprecia un buen equilibrio entre las notas cremosas del robley
una fruta roja en confitura, con agradable
sensación cremosa; boca con estructura media, tanino bien fundido, notas de confituras y
puntas de roble en paso de bona; sabroso.
Idus de Vall Llach 03
Plata
Tinto * 16 meses en barrica
Guardar 3-4 años. 29 €
31% Cariñena, 22% Merlot, 22% Garnacha, 15%, Syrah y 10% Cabamet.
Nariz muy madura, fruta
negra en compota (ciruela) con fondos torrefactos y atisbos minerales: en bonaes amplio y
con potencia, tanino un poco marcado, notas de frutillos en licor, chocolate negro y hollejo maduro; con un final de corte balsámico.
2006
LOS MEJORES VINOS DE ESPAÑA 2006
> Embruix
Tinto Crianza 2003
Uvas: 40% Garnacha, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cariñena, 10% Merlot y Syrah.
Gastronomia: Carnes, asados.
Temperatura de servicio: 15-17º
Aspecto: Tinto cubierto de orgulloso aspecto.
Aroma: En nariz deja recuerdos de plantas secas y fruta muy madura envueltos en roble expresivo.
Boca: En boca cálido, orgulloso y estructurado.
Consumo preferente: Hasta el 2009.
DO: Priorato
Puntuación: 90
Precio de bodega: 16 Euros
> Idus de Vall Llach
Tinto Crianza 2003
Uvas: Cariñena, Cabernet, Sauvignon, Syrah, Garnacha, Merlot.
Gastronomia: Asados.
Temperatura de servicio: 15-17º
Aspecto: Bonito aspecto muy cubierto granate oscuro.
Aroma: Aroma a confitura de arándanos, casis y dejos de tomillo salvaje.
Boca: En boca jugosos y postgusto final.
Consumo preferente: 2008.
DO: Priorato.
Puntuación: 90
Precio de bodega: 27 Euros
> Vall Llach
Tinto Crianza 2003
Uvas: Merlot, Cariñena, Cabernet Sauvignon.
Gastronomia: Carnes rojas a la parrilla.
Temperatura de servicio: 15-17º
Aspecto: Color granate morado.
Aroma: Aromas a onte bajo y cuero usado.
Boca: Sobriedad, madurez, amplitud y calidez unidos a equilibrio y confort en boca. Noble madera que marca postgusto. Orgullo y redondez.
Consumo preferente: Hasta el 2007.
DO: Priorato.
Puntuación: 93
Precio de bodega: 58 Euros
2006
Anuario 2006 vinos - Ediciones El País -
Vall Llach ****
Embruix de Vall Llach ***
Idus de Vall Llach ****
Los de Vall Llach son vinos con bastante garra y personalidad. Destilan pura esencia de aquellas tierras del Priorat y sus aromas y sabores son una
mezcla de mineralidad y madera fina que realza muy bien el propio carácter de las variedades que lo componen.
Las diferencias organolepicas entre Idus y Vall Llacn no son lan distantes como los precios que marcan ambos vlnos. ldus es mas frutal, resulta en
boca algo más suave que Vall Llach y se bebe con deleite. Vall Llach es más pesado y tiene más carga tánica, más corpulencia y más concentración, lo
cual podria producir cierta saturación de las papilas olfaltivas y gustativas.
aunque eso va en gustos. Guardar Vall Llach hasta finales de 2006 sería una buena idea. También lo sería disfrurar con Idus, que está radiante en este
momenlo. Vall Llach 2003 necesita un año más de bolella, porque es muy posible que ese vino no haya expresado en 2005 todo lo que lleva dentro. Estos, a veces, llevan su propio
camino y no hay intuición que valga a la hora de lanzar profecías.
2006
Vinos de España 06
*** Vall Llach 06 95 puntos
Cariñena, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.
Muestra una nariz con atractivas notas golosas de fruta madura, junto a puntas de maderas cremosas y ligero
toque de pedernal; en boca es amplio, potente y amable a la vez, carnoso, con una fruta rnadura que se mastica, notas de confitura
de arándanos, chocolate negro y toques mentolados, con gran persistencia.
2006
Wines from Spain
Far from ordinary wine guide 2005-2006
Vall llach 2002
Celler Vall Llach was founded at the beginning of the 1990's by
the folklore singer Luis llach and his friend Enric Costa in
Porrera. Vall Llach, Idus de Vall Llach and and Embruix de Vall Llach are their
three wines.
Tasting Note: A powerful nose of raisin coocked plums and
some red apple, it has a powerful, big mouth, juicy, tannic
but warm with raisins, figs and dates as well as black cherry and lack plum.
The finish is earthy und spicy with
spiced red apple at the end rich dishes.
Mai 2005
La revue du vin de France
CELLER VALL LLACH Vall Llach 2002
Le domaine appartient au célèbre chanteur catalan Lluis Llach. Le vignoble et la cave sont
situés à Porrera, en plein coeur du Prirat. Le carignan règne ici en maître et
donne naissance à des vins complexes.
Malgré l‘année, cette cuvée à la bouche harmonieuse affiche une bonne maturité de fruit. Idus et Embruix
(tous les deux vendus à 35 €) sont tout aussi réussis dans
un style plus accessible.
6/30/2005
The wine Advocate. Issue 159
Celler Vall Llach 2002 Embruix ($33.00) Priorat Red 87
Celler Vall Llach 2002 Idus ($62.00) Priorat Red 90
Celler Vall Llach 2002 Vall Llach ($93.00) Priorat Red 93
Vall Llach produced fabolous 2001's, and while the 2002's are very successful for this troublesome vintage, they do not measure up to trehis older siblings. The soft 2002 Embruix, a blend of 50% Grenache, and the rest Cabernet Sauvingnon, Merlot, Syrah, and Carignan, is a pleasant, straightforward effort displaying notions of blueberries,
crushed rocks, and cherries. Consume it over the next 2-3 years. More concentrated is the blueberry-scented and flavored 2002 Idus, a blend of 40% old vine Carignan, 20% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvingnon,
and the remainder tiny quantities of Syrah and Grenache. Clean, crisp notes of toasty new oak, lead pencial shavings, blueberries, and black currants are followed by a classy, racy, mid-level
Boardeaux-like wine with both elegance and flavor authority. Already approachable, it is best drunk over the next 5-6 years. The estate's flagship wine, the 2002 Vall Llach, is a blend of 50'% old
vine Carignan, 35% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Sauvingnon. A deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by lovely aromas of crushed blueberries, minerals. high class smorky.
2005
Wine Spectator
The Issue's most Impressive wines. Includes top-scorers and wines that represent omlmal
purchases based un their combination of score, price and availability.
93 Vall Llach Priorat Emrbuix 2003 $31
This plush red delivers ripe, fresh flavors in a velvety texture, with well-integrated tannnins and just enough acidity to keep it lively. Modern in style,
with blueberry, toast, vanilla and mineral flavors. Drink now through 2012. 150 cases imported..-T.M
New Wines From Around the World
Spain
Priorat
94 Vall Llach Priorat 2003 $88
Cocoa, licoreice, blueberry, mineral and floral notes mingle in this powerful and complex red. It has plenry of tannins, wood and alcohol, but all in balance. Dense and brooding now, it promises to sing with time. Best after 2007. 75 cases imported T.M.
93 Vall Llach Priorat Embrulx 2003 $31
See Highly Recommended.
The Savy Shopper
California Cabernet, Rhône and Spanish Reds
Spanish Gold
Prices for many top wines in Spain have not yet caught up to California levels. Thus. it’s a good hunting ground for value if you take the time to
familiarize yourself with the regions and the explosions of new labels.
We start in familiar territory,albeit a modem style. Bodegas LAN Rioja Edición Limitada 2002 (95, $45} is rich and jammy yet fresh and
balanced —a success in a difficult vintage. From a new D.O. comes the Dominio de Tares Bierzo Bem bi Bre 2003 (94, $46). a seamless red with
blackberry, licorice and rnineral notes supported by wellintegrated tannins. If you like Rhône reds. Priorats, often made from similar varietal blends, can also offter a similar
flavor profile. Look for the Hihhly Recommended Vall Llach Priorat Embruix 2003 (93, $31), a red whose velvety tannins and acidty lend focus to its blueberry and vanilla flavors. Álvaro Palacios Priorat Les Terrasses 2003 (92, $30) delivers blackberry, licorice and tobacco notes.
From a region know for its gutsy red, Bodegas Emilio Moro Ribera del Duero 2003 (92, ~32) shows harmony, uniting its blackberry esence with a smoky accent. Selección de Torres Ribera del Duero Celeste 2003 (90, $22) is a new
label from Miguel Torres. It exhibits the more robust side of Ribera, with coffee, earth and mineral flavors bound by ironclad tannins. Finally, the Bodegas y Viñedos Martín Berdugo Ribera del Duero Barrica 2003 (89, $17) also display fimm tannins, along with black cherry and espresso notes.
06/2005
Wine Enthusiast
Buying Guide
Spain
The "Definitive" wines
In January, Contributing Editor Michael Schachner travelet to Madrid to take
part in what can only be described as a premier wine tasting. As part of the third annual Madrid Fusión gastronnomy fair, wine experts at the Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade (ICEX) and the Spanish Wine Taster Union organized
"The 100 Definitive Wines from Spain" a first-of-its-kind sampling of Spain's hihg-fliers, veteran stars and unique eliris.
Tastings for international press took place in open, nonblind fashion over two days, across all wine styles significant in Spain:cava, white, red, fortified and sweet. Below you will fiad ratings and reviews for about 70 ot the wines tasted in Madrid, those we feel reason-ably sure are imported (or were recently imported) into the United States, along with additional wines Schachner tasted an reviewed blind in our New York Times offices.
As you can see from Schachner's scores and the detail of his notes, Spain has mores than its share of bona fide definitive wines. "An incredible run of great wine after great wine, especially among the reds" said Schachner about his experience.
Besides the wine of Spain, this month's Buying Guide give you an advance look at European Editor Roger Voss's picks of the 2004 Bordeaux, which he tasted as barrel samples in early April. Collectors looking to stock their cellars will find a surprisingly large number of ageworthy wines all prices that should be slightly lower than those of the 2003s.
The accompany his article on Margaux, Voss also provides reviews of all of the major wines form that appellation - mainlyu the 2001s that you will fins on store shelves now. We round out our Bordeaux coverage with a smattering of recent releases tasted blind in our New York offices.
The rest of the Buying Guide include Best Buys from Eastern Europe, Cellar Selections from California and Editor's Choices from Washington, a small section of Italian wines (look for our extensive Tuscan coverage next month), and some sparkling recommendations for all of your spring festitivies. Cheers!
91 VaI Llach 2002 Tinto (Priorat); $94.
More jammy than previous vintages, with blackberry aromas and notes of bitter dark chocolate. Like any young Priorat
stud, it hits firmly with jackhammer tannins, but there's also a likable, soft underside to its. Starts to sing with air and
swirling, indicating a bright future. Hold a few years, if possible. Imported by Jorge Ordoñez/Fine Estates from Spain.
As Seen in June 2005
2004
Guía MG Rover -300 mejores vinos de España 2004-2005
Tintos de crianza
9,4 Vall Llach 2001
Rojo cereza de capa alta con fino borde granate. Nariz intensa, con aromas de tipo
mineral, madera tostada, fruta sobremadura y recuerdos de repostería. Agradable, complejo, amplio, sabroso,
con carácter.
D.O.: Priorat
TIPD: Tinto crianza
VARIEDAD (ES): Cariñena, merlot y cabernet sauvingnon
GRADO ALC.: 14,5 %
CRIANZA: 17 meses en barrica
PRDDUCCIÓN: 15.000 botellas
PRECIO: 48 €
Run by Catalan folk singer Luis Llach, Celler Vall Llach has produced three impressive efforts. The elegant
, pretty 2001 Idus, a blend of 40% Carignan, 20% Melot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, and 10% Grenache
aged 18 months in French oak, offers up aromas of raspberries, cherries, and that striking liquid minerality
typical of this appellation. Medium-bodied with copious quantities of sweet fruit as well as undeniable
complexity and character, it will drink well for 5-7 years. Sumptuous, complex and drink beautifully at present
is the 2001 Embruix a blend of 50% Grenache, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and tiny quantities of Merlot, Syrah,
and Carignan. It displays a deep ruby/purple color along with glorios aromas of smoke, scorched earth,
sweet raspberry and black currant fruit, a rich intense palate, tremendous purity, and silky tannin. It
tastes like a Pomerol from Priorat. Enjoy it over the next 10-12 years. The flagship cuvée, the 2001 Vall Llach, was
fashioned from 65 years old Carignan vines (50%), Merlot (35%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (15%). It spent 17 montgs is new
Frenchga oak prior of bottling. This deep ruby/purple colored offering exhibits great intensity, a beautifully
textyred midpalate, and a 45-second finis. Pure notes of minerals, raspberries, flowers, and black fruits cascade over
the palate in this multidimensional 2001. Drink it over the next 12 years. Importer: Jorge Ordoñez. Fine Estates from Spain.
April 2004
The wine advocate 04 - 4
90 rating
2000 Embruix
"Opaque ruby/purple color, and a sweet nose of blackberries. strawberries, and cherries
interrmixed with this region's tell-tale notes of minerals and crushed stones. Medium to fullbodied, with moderate tannin as well as an
elegant, well-delineated personality,... impressive offering".
Set-oct 04
The wine cellar
Issue 116
Stephen Tanzer's Internacional
91 rating
2002 Idus
"Crushed dark berries, bitter chocolate, spicecake and
a hlnt of prune on the superripe but impressively
primary nose. Dense. sweet and superripe, with
enticing flavors of red and blackcurrant, smoke and
peat. A voluptuous, creamy wine wilh solid underlying
spine, Finishes with rich, thoroughly ripe tannins and
excellent pemietence.'
”Very Sexy Wine"
Set-oct 04
The wine cellar
Issue 116
Stephen Tanzer's Internacional
92+rating 2002 Vall Llach
"Sliglhtly high-toned aromas of cassis, blackberry,
bitter chocolate and violet. Lush and suave on
entry. then superconcentrated and penetrating in
the middle, with brooding flavors of cassis, black
cherry, wild strawberry, minerals and chocolate
complicated by notes of tar and licorice. Finishes
with tongue-dusting tannins and excellent length."
Dec 2004
Wine Spectator
Issue 116
Spain Strides Ahead
An excellent vintage in 2001 delivers many outstanding wines
Spanish wine made dramatic progress in the 1990's. It's an impressive record, especially since many recent vintages suffeted from cool summers and
rainy harvests. Fortunately, in 2001 most of the country's wine regions enjoyed nearly perfect
growing conditions. As wines lovers can take the true measure of Spain's remarkable achievement.
In the past year, I have blind- tasted more than 550 Spanish wines in out New York offices. Nearly 20
percent of them scored outstanding (90 points or better on Wine Spectator's 100 point scale), about double the percentatge in my last resport (Dec. 15, 2003). That's solid evidence of improving quality.
The 2001 vintage supplied half of these outstanding wines. (Last year's report included an additional 15 outstantding 2001). Two of my three top wines this year were 2001s. Not surprisingly, the three classics in this report come from Spain's three best red wine producing regions. Priorat is represented by Vall Llach 2001 (95). Rioja's classic is an innovative wine from a traditional winnery. Aro 2001 from Bodegas Muga, and Ribera del Duero scored with the single-vineyard El Picón 1999 from Pago de los Cappellanes (95).
Thre prices of top Spanish wine, especially reds, have been increasing just as rapidly as their quality. But Spain continues to deliver good value, too. I found neartly 100 very good wines (85 points on payin $50 or mores per bottle for most of them.
Vall Llach, this year's top scorer from Priorat, is owned by Luis Llach, a famous Catalan folk singer. The winery debuted in
1998 and earned outstanding ratings in 1999 and 2000 before producing the classic 2001. The flashoip vuvée is old-vine Cariñena blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, made by local superstat Sara Pérez. It marches ripe black fruit with plenty of chocolate scented oak in massive structure. A second label, Embruix. offers goog value, the 2002 )89) is fosused ans fresth.
White most early reports about the 2002 vintage in Priorat are discouraging, Álvaro Palacios, whose old´vine L'Ermita is Priorat's most famous wine, is enthusiastic, claiming that a cool growing season in a hot-climate regions can give the wines elegance and freshness. I was impressed by the verve and balance of several 2002s. The Viinyes Primitiu from Clos Barlolomé (92( is plush yet refreshing, while the clos de l'Obac from Costers del Siurana (91) has plenty of blacbone yet reinat balanced ans lush.
Top Wines
Vall Llach Priorat 2001
Score: 95
Price 80$
Rich and powerful, with black (fruit, chocolate-scentend oalk and masses of tannnin. Good balance and concentration.
SPECTATOR SELECTIONS
New wines from Around the Word
Spain
Priorat Red
90 Vall Llach. Priorat 2002 $94
Sweet fruit flavors of cherry jam and roasted plum fill this plush red, with vanilla oak notes and mouthcoating tannins.
Mountain herbs linger on the finish. Has a real sense of place. Drink now through 2010. 200 cases made.
89 Vall Llach. Priorat Emrbuix 2002. $33
Fresh blueberry aromas and flavors give this red an immediate appeal, deepened by sweet vanilla accents. The vine
is focused and fresh, gently yet lively, and brings you back for another sip. Drink now through 2010. 350 cases made.
Dec 2004
Wine Enthousiast
Issue 116
94 Vall Llach 2000 Embruix (Priorat).
Inky-dark and dense, with exemplary cherry and berry fruit along with tons of earth, spice and terroir. At 15% it's big, and
you get more than ample blackberry and cherry fruit to chew on. The finish, meanwhile, is dark with espresso and leftover fruit. Big and
boisterous, but right on the money.
Octubre- Novembre 2003
Revista de Oro de los Vinos de España 03
Priorato 50 en la cumbre
Nunca una denominacién de origen vitivinícola tan pequeña ha dado tanto de sí. Apenas 1.500
hectéreas de viñedo sustentan a más de una cuarentena de bodegas que han logrado situar
el nombre de Priorato entre las más reconocidas zonas productoras de vino del planeta.
Un reconocimiento que ha permitido - y parece ser que sigue permitiendo- mamtener
unos precios medios en los vinos que pueden doblar o triplicar a las medias
de Rioja o Ribera del Duero. Claro que no es lo mismo tener que vender
dos millones escasos de botellas (no llega a 50000 botellas de media por bodega), que tener
que colocar los 60 millones de Ribera o los 300 de Rioja.
La imagen ruda y atrasada. vinícolamente hablando, del Priorato productor de vinos rancios y licorosos, pegó un vuelco
de 180 grados con la aparición en el 89 de los "clos": (clos Mogador, Clos Martinet, Clos de L'Obac y clos Dofí: y de la
mano de sus ideólogos: René Barbier, José Luis Pérez, Carles Pastrana, y Alvaro Palacios, quienes decidieron mostrar al mundo
las bondades de unas variedades y, sobretodo, unos suelos (la peculiar pizarra denominada "llicorella") únicoss. En la década de
los 90, se incorporan a la D.O. un buen puñado de firmas que llegaron atraídas por los ecos de calidad de estos
incipientes prioratos, y las que ya estaban, adaptan su produción siguiendo las pautas de elaboración de estos
nuevos vinos, capaces de copar las máximas puntuaciones de las guías vinícolas, además de venderse a precios jamás imaginados.
La zona sustenta su prestigio y justa fama con unos tintos elaborados en base a las dos variedades
que comparten protagonismo, la Garnacha tinta y la Cariñena (entre ambas acaparan cerca del
75% del viñedo), bien por sí solas o aderezadas con pequeñas proporcines de las tintas
foráneas, como Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah o Merlot.
Vall Llach 01
Oro
Intenso y cumplajo, confituiras de frutas negros, hollejo
maduro y chocolate amargo junto con los tornos pizarrosos arropados por un roble cremoso y sutil; intenso y carnoso, con una fruta negra que explota en paso de boca. muy largo.
Guardar más de 5 años.
Idus de Vall Llach 01
Oro
Nariz muy golosa, fuertes aromas de mermelada
de mora, tonos do brea y matorral junto a puntas
minerales; amplio y camoso, con potencia civilizada, paso do boca explosivo, agradable sensación
golosa, persistente.
Guardar más de 5 años.
Embruix de Vall Llach 01
Plata
En nariz sobrosalen los tonos do matorral y
monte bajo jonto con las notas de roble por
encima de la fruta; en boca es intenso y amplio, con mayor presencial frutal, notas de cacao y regaliz con buena presencia..
Guardar 4-5 años.
Mai 2002
Vinum
Celler Vall Llach Vall-Llach 1999
Satt und voll trotz der Holzprägung, durch und durch
Grenache, herbsüsses Brombeerfinale, körniges Tannin.
Der Traube zu ihrem wahren Ausdruck verholfen; genial. So schön hat
bislang wohl noch niemand die Sonne des Mittelmeers. den Wind
und die Mineralität der katalonischen Berge in eine Flasche gebracht:
ein Urwein, aber unhedingt in diesem Kraft- und- Saft-Stadium zu geniessen. 2003 bis 2006.
