Grifoll Declara Tressals, Priorat DOCa 2014, Spain

Tasting Note: A fruit-forward red blend that doesn’t include the area’s famed grenache.

Deep-intensity purple in color this wine has a nose of raspberry, black plum, blackberry and vanilla baking spice.

On the palate the dry, full-bodied, red blend echoes black fruit flavors suggested on the nose supported by medium acidity and ripe, medium-tannin.

The wine is fruit forward with some mid-palate complexity but lacking any grenache in the blend which is characteristic of wines from Priorat.

This wine bottle hammers home the fact that this PDO/DOCa area does not require wines to have a certain percentage of the Grenache or Carineña (carignan) that typically characterizes the blend.

Be sure to read a Priorat label, and if you don’t see Grenache mentioned on the label, don’t assume it’s there, especially if you’re spending under $20.

Bottle Note: Old Vine Red Blend. Aged for 9 months in French and American oak barrels. Tressals is the name of the vineyard that yields the grapes used in this beautiful red blend. It also refers to the picturesque terraces that have made Priorat famous and one of the most sought-after appellations in the world. Tressals is a robust concentrated red offering raspberry, red plum and mineral flavors, firm yet sweet tannins and a long-lasting finish. Ideal to pair with flavorful meats, pizza and BBQ dishes.