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About the producer
A pioneer of this region, Álvaro Palacios arrived in Gratallops in 1989, invited by a group of local producers and intent on extracting the very best from its unique schist and slate soils. Álvaro, one of nine childen, whose family owns the prestigious Rioja Bodega, Palacios Remondo, spent two years at Château Pétrus before setting up on his own in Priorat and, from the outset, set out to produce world-class wines by using fruit from extremely low-yielding, old vines and applying ultra-modern winemaking techniques.
The first wine made was the 1989 Finca Dofi, followed in 1993 by L’Ermita - one of Spain’s finest wines. Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah vines are planted in the richer soils of the valleys whilst old Garnacha and Samsó (Carignan) are rooted in the free-draining slate soils on the hillsides. These old vines receive more than 3,000 hours of sun each year, less than 380mm annual rainfall, and are cooled by an inland wind and the influence of the nearby sea.
The sobriety of the Mediterranean climate leaves a decisive mark on the character of its wines. The mountainous topography of the area has ensured cultivation methods have remained largely unchanged and horses are still employed in the steep vineyards. The resultant wines have a rounded structure and fresh mineral quality.
The flagship wine, L’Ermita, comes from a small 1.6 ha vineyard with a north-east exposure and is farmed organically. The vines here are very old, some reaching up to 100 years.
Vineyard
Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah vines are planted in the richer soils of the valleys whilst old Garnacha and Samsó (Carignan) are rooted in the free draining slate soils on the hillsides. Álvaro also makes world-class Mencía from ancient, incredibly steep hillside vineyards on distinctive terroirs.
Winery
These wines are unfiltered, aged in French barriques - often new. Modern winemaking techniques are practiced with a view to always making wine to show the most pure, fine form of the grape.