L'Olivera
Catalunya Garnatxa Negra Merlot
As they say here, “Super-top,” just like all the L’Olivera wines we’ve had. Fresh. Bright acidity, but still balanced. 14% ABV but tastes lighter. My wine-making in-laws were enthused. — 2 months ago
Celler Mas Pòlit
Clarinet Blanc de Negres
I’ve tried white wines from red grapes. Unless they’re bottle conditioned bubblies, they usually taste… off. This was quite nice. Like a fine Sauv Blanc plus a hint of pluot. — 3 months ago
Mistik
Ecologic Vi d'Autor Red Blend
Chewy, big, oaky. Not flawed, but not for me. — 12 days ago
Cellers de Scala Dei
El tribut de Scala dei Priorat Red Blend 2023
Classic Priorat garnatxa: delicate, nuanced, and everything you would come to expect from Catalunya’s favorite wine region. — 2 months ago
Ca N'Estruc
L'Equilibrista Blanco 2023
Best white wine I’ve had as far back as I can remember. Aromatics of lemon zest, melon, cantaloupe, and a wildflower garden. Well balanced, subtle minerality, not too much oak. Varietals are what you would typically encounter in a fine Catalonian Cava, but here presented as an unostentatious still white. Encountered at Tangana in Gracia, Barcelona. Went really well with the bacalao, carxofas, and romesco. — 2 months ago
Espelt
Terres Negres Empordà 2010
Confirms my theory that Empordà is a deeply underrated wine region. A big, beautiful Carignan and a bit of Grenache. I think it benefited much from the five years in the bottle. Will be looking out for this again. — 2 months ago
Mas Pòlit
Vilamaniscle Empordà D.O. Red Blend 2021
A blend of cab, grenache, and syrah. Very tannic and a bit green. Perhaps another vintage with riper fruit might be better, especially with age, but this is not the best Empordà has to offer. — 2 months ago
Vinyes Domènech
Bancal del Bosc DO Montsant Grenache Blend 2022
Prunes and figs. Proves that if you want a good Priorat without having to pay Priorat prices, you buy a Montsant. — 3 months ago
Descendientes de José Palacios
Pétalos Bierzo Mencía 2021
Since moving to Barcelona, I’ve been looking for wines that dare to use varietals that are not the same handful of French clones one sees all over the world. I’m also looking for lighter wines, which my wife prefers. This fit the bill perfectly: 100% Mencía @ 13.5% ABV and highly recommended by the botiga in my barri. Delicate and earthy. Hints of ripe plums and peppercorns. — 4 months ago
Adam Shaylor
A perfectly balanced blend of garnatxa negra, syrah, and carinyena. Not too chewy or oaky, but instead pleasantly large at 14.5% ABV carrying aromas and flavors of fresh plums, cherries, and raspberries. The 2023 vintage will likely get even better with a bit of aging, but it can definitely be drunk now. — 3 days ago