Merum Priorati - Inici Priorat 2014
Pairing Suggestions
Merum Priorati – Inici Priorat 2014 (89 TSW Points)
Blend of 60% Garnacha Negra, 15% Cariñena, 15% Syrah, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Give this young Priorat time to decanter or open it with the Vspin
Vinification:
Harvested by hand. All the harvested grapes are destemmed. Fermented/macerated at a controlled temperature in stainless-steel vats. Macerated for three weeks. Gently pressed using a pneumatic horizontal press. Malolactic fermentation in 225-liter French oak barrels. Aged for 8–12 months, after which the wine is blended and bottled. Inici is neither filtered nor fined.
The rocky soil, very poor in organic matter, makes for low-vigor, low-yield vines. The laminated bedrock means the vines’ roots grow down as far as 15 meters. Both factors help the vines endure the summer stress and lead to a perfect, progressive ripening of the grapes.
My tasting notes:
In the glass a bright and deep ruby red color.
On the nose medium+ aromas of raspberries, blackberries and red currants with well integrated hints of cedar, earth, spices and underbrush.
On the palate dry, medium+ body and medium acidity with medium tannins. Very round and full in the mouth with cassis jam, cherries, chocolate, leather and spices. The finish is long and full of fruit. This entry level Prioat wine will even get better within 5 years.