Bodegas Mas Alta La Creu Alta 2012

Description

2011 was too warm a vintage in Priorat, and the top cuvée from Mas Alta jumped from 2010 to the 2012 La Creu Alta. They own a plot of very old Cariñena vines in the village of Torroja (all the rest of other vines are in the village of Vilella Alta where the winery is located), which is mixed with more Cariñena, Syrah and a pinch of Garnacha from different vineyards to make up a final blend of around 60% Cariñena, 35% Syrah and 5% Garnacha. I think vinification and élevage is now a secondary consideration for these Mas Alta wines because what I have in the glass is much more about the place, which to me makes the wine much more interesting. This is balsamic with notes hinting on camphor, but mainly rosemary, fennel and thyme with even a floral touch and a mixture of black and red berries and some spiciness thrown in. The palate is full-bodied, but the tannins are very fine, and the rusticity of the Cariñena feels very polished and elegant. Drink Date: 2015-2025. Score - 96. (Luis Gutiérrez, robertparker.com, June 28, 2015)

Tasting Notes

2011 was too warm a vintage in Priorat, and the top cuvée from Mas Alta jumped from 2010 to the 2012 La Creu Alta. They own a plot of very old Cariñena vines in the village of Torroja (all the rest of other vines are in the village of Vilella Alta where the winery is located), which is mixed with more Cariñena, Syrah and a pinch of Garnacha from different vineyards to make up a final blend of around 60% Cariñena, 35% Syrah and 5% Garnacha. I think vinification and élevage is now a secondary consideration for these Mas Alta wines because what I have in the glass is much more about the place, which to me makes the wine much more interesting. This is balsamic with notes hinting on camphor, but mainly rosemary, fennel and thyme with even a floral touch and a mixture of black and red berries and some spiciness thrown in. The palate is full-bodied, but the tannins are very fine, and the rusticity of the Cariñena feels very polished and elegant. Drink Date: 2015-2025. Score - 96. (Luis Gutiérrez, robertparker.com, June 28, 2015)

Tags

Carignan/Grenache, Red Wine, Wine, XD - Extra Dry