Álvaro Palacios Vi de Vila Gratallops

The Gratallops made by Álvaro Palacios is a wine which demonstrates the great structure and potential of Priorat wines, fresh wines with a personality very much marked by the terroir, as well as mineral and powerful too. And in particular, the wine with which Álvaro Palacios seeks to convey the diversity of locations within the municipal boundaries of Gratallops; this is his Vi de Vila, a selection of grapes from the indigenous varieties Garnacha (80%) and Cariñena (20%) from parcels of land at Coll del Corral, Ermites, Torrent, Sorts-Les-Planes, Mas d'en Pallarès, Manyetes, Obagues and Socarrats. Each spot known by its own name, just as it was done in times gone by. A wine that's aromatic, elegant, with a floral undertone, aromatic herbs, and slightly earthy. Flavoursome, with abundant ripe tannins and the acidity required for maturing in bottle for several years.

Summary of Álvaro Palacios's evaluation of the 2015 vintage

The 2015 harvest has been one of Álvaro Palacios' most productive in the Priorat. Occasional snowfall in winter, not too much rain and some high temperatures, the highest since records began in that area.

The year started off with some autumnal showers which carried on until well into the beginning of November, and after that a mild winter, with clement temperatures. It wasn't until February that temperatures registered a substantial drop, with a minimum low of -4,7º C, and snowfall left a 10 cm layer on the Priorat's vines, a most welcome protective blanket that kept the plants warm during their winter rest-time and helped the wines that resulted to have a special charm and loveliness.

March's arrival was also one of rainfall and humidity. Budding took place at the end of the month, and after a dry April, the hot days in May brought flowering. June was changeable, with rain and even some hail in l'Ermita which damaged a tenth of the berries. Then, a heatwave with temperatures reaching up to 42 ºC at the beginning of July. Occasional showers at the end of that month gave way to a dry, hot August, with some rain falling in the last few days and in September.

This rain at the end of summer made us worry about the appearance of botrytis and generally caused feelings of nervousness and impatience, but with the arrival of stability in the last part of September, the grapes could carry on maturing in an excellent state of health. The harvest lasted from the middle of September until November 1st in a healthy atmosphere, with cool nights and bright days, and dry air.

A crop that has produced wines that are silky and long, fluid and unctuous on the palate, of a pinker colour than usual and with an intense juiciness. Wines full of lively energy and magical charm. There'll only be a short time to wait before being able to give a better assessment of this vintage, with the wines' acidity a little perturbing at the moment.