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• Origin: Gratallops, Priorat, Catalonia, Spain
• Appellation: D.O.Q. Priorat
• Grape varietals: approx. 75% Garnatxa, 20% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Alcohol percentage: 15.0%
• Style: Layered, powerful & complex
• Ageing potential: Now until 2042+
• Rating: 95/100 Wine Advocate – 93/100 Vinous
Laurel 2022 is the “second wine” of Clos i Terrasses, but in the glass, it feels anything but second best: a serious Priorat with finesse, texture and a clear llicorella signature. On the nose, cherry, plum, and ripe raspberry emerge, complemented by Mediterranean herbs, balsamic notes, cocoa, and a subtle caramel/toast nuance. In the mouth, the wine is broad and layered, with a velvety, almost talc-like tannin structure and a strikingly fresh backbone that keeps the ripeness taut. The finish is long and mineral, with a smoky-slate accent that lingers beautifully.
Vinification.
The grapes are harvested by hand. Fermentation takes place with natural yeasts in a combination of wooden vats, concrete "eggs" and clay amphorae. The élevage lasts approximately 16–18 months in a mix of 20 hl French oak foudres/tanks, concrete vats, neutral 228L French oak barrels and clay amphorae.
The Estate.
Clos i Terrasses is Daphne Glorian's estate in Gratallops and belongs to the pioneers who brought Priorat back to world fame from the late 1980s onwards. The vineyards are located on llicorella (slate) and are managed organically with biodynamic practices, with a lot of manual work and a focus on soil health and biodiversity. In the cellar, the style is precise and non-interventionist: natural yeasts, controlled extraction and patient maturation to keep finesse and terroir expression central. Laurel is the most accessible insight into that philosophy, but with a serious structure and ageing potential.
