The Laurel - the second, younger vine wine from Clos I Terrasses - is a fabulous
wine in its own right. The warm soils of Gratallops and a blend of mostly
Grenache and a little Syrah (with decreasing amounts of Cabernet) means we’ve
previously called it “a Latin-tinged Chateauneuf-du-Pape.”

Vintage report from Daphne:
The 2018 vintage started off very well, with frequent rains from January thru
May, with even a snowy episode in March. The view of the Montsant dusted with
snow that morning was gorgeous, if inexpected.
The perfect conditions at the time of fruit set produced a riot of grapes, which
were sustained thru the summer thanks to a few showers, just when we needed
them, in spite of the temperatures climbing up steadily. Even though August
turned out to be very hot, as often in the Priorat the breezes blowing from the
Mediterranean kept the plants cool enough for them to keep maturing the grapes
steadily.
By the end of summer, it was clear that we had an amazing harvest ahead of us,
with the grapes being not only perfect but plentiful. This was the first time
ever we reached 21 hectolitres per hectare.
As a result the wines are fresh, vibrant, with a perfect armature of crisp fruit
and acidity as well as a bright color. Both have an ethereal character making
this vintage very special.
Laurel is an explosion of flowers and red fruit, slightly on the tart side, yet
fleshy, raspberries, bing cherries, white peach, orange and thyme blossoms.
Clos Erasmus develops slowly in the glass, revealing first the graphite aromas
which have travelled all the way from its roots, followed by blackberries,
cranberries, licorice all wrapped up in soft tannins. An intriguing, juicy,
teasing wine which engages your palate entirely.

Laurel 2018:
Blend: 70% Garnatxa, 15% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.
From the younger vines, as well as the occasional declassified barrel of Clos
Erasmus and the few grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon still on the estate.
Destemmed, hand sorted and slightly crushed, it is vinified in wooden and
concrete vats and macerated for 4 weeks. It aged in wooden and concrete vats,
second and third year 228L barrels and amphorae. The many different containers
add a specific touch each by letting the parcels develop their own character.


"The second wine here and one that is easier to drink, the 2018 Laurel was
produced with fruit from the younger vines, a couple of barrels that are
declassified from Clos Erasmus and the Cabernet Sauvignon, more or less 70%
Garnacha and 15% each Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has good ripeness and
still a pH of 3.3. It fermented mostly in oak vats and 2,000-liter concrete vats
with indigenous yeasts and matured for 18 months in 20,000-liter oak and
concrete vats, second use barriques and some clay amphorae. It's a bright
translucent ruby color and has a perfumed and delicate nose with notes of orange
peel and flowers; this is the most elegant and ethereal vintage of Laurel as far
as I can remember, with red rather than black fruit and a kind of cranberry
quality. The palate is medium-bodied, textured and fluid, with subtleness,
balance and very fine tannins. The oak is perfectly integrated, and the wine is
easy to drink, approachable and very pleasurable right now. It's a fresh vintage
with energy and finesse, quite different from previous vintages. I love it.
22,825 bottles and 515 magnums produced. It was bottled in May 2020." 96 pts,
Luis Gutiérrez, WA

2017, 95 pts Wine Advocate
2016, 95 pts Wine Advocate
2015, 95 pts Wine Advocate
2014, 95 pts Wine Advocate


"The slightly cooler 2018 is apparent on the nose, which shows more focus and
definition than the burlier, richer 2017. Cherries, plums and currants, cedar
and liquorice and a real Christmassy note of cloves, pine cones and sandalwood.
Palate has cool herbaceous-edged fruit and succulent, savoury, salted liquorice
tannins that really draw the flavours along." Tom Harrow, Wine Guru