Priorat’s layered, floral red. Big bottle, bigger table.
The story
Clos i Terrasses is the Priorat estate of Daphne Glorian and Eric Solomon, about 25.6 hectares of schist terraces at 375-450 meters. Their flagship, Clos Erasmus, is a cult name. They bristle at calling Laurel a “second wine,” and that’s the fun part. It comes from its own parcels and is made in the same careful, native-yeast, low-intervention way. The 2021 was fermented in a mix of oak, concrete and clay amphorae, then bottled in May 2023. About 28,000 bottles were made, and this is the big one.
In the glass
Translucent ruby. The nose is floral and lifted, with cherry, sour cherry, dried flowers and a hint of herb and spice. The palate is velvety but lean, with a chalky texture, bright acidity and fine tannins. The finish is long.
On the table
- Roast leg of lamb with rosemary
- Mesquite-smoked brisket (the Texas pairing)
- Duck breast with cherry sauce
- Wild mushroom risotto
- Charcuterie and aged Manchego
- Grilled Hill Country venison
Wine Dad tip
Serve it slightly cool, around 62°F. Decant 45-60 minutes. Drinking window: now through roughly 2035. That’s my estimate from the acidity and structure, since I found no critic window, so confirm it before publishing. A magnum is a table-sharing bottle, so open it with friends.
Quick facts
- Grapes: Garnacha-led blend with Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon
- Appellation: Priorat DOQ, Catalonia, Spain
- Aging: Oak, concrete and clay amphorae
- ABV: 14%
- Format: 1.5L magnum
- Scores (2021 only): Wine Advocate 96 (Luis Gutiérrez, May 2024); Vinous 94 (Joaquín Hidalgo, Nov 2024)
- Importer: European Cellars / Eric Solomon Selections
You may also like
More from Clos i Terrasses
Recently viewed