TN: 2011 Costers del Priorat - Elios

WINE TALK
1

I started a thread recently on approachable reds. I have tried a couple of Cali Zin’s but didn’t really like them. The thread has a wealth of information and suggestions/recommendations and I’m working my way through them. There was one rec for an affordable Priorat. And I was looking for a wine to go with Paella this weekend. So this bottle, at $20, was something to try. Actually had to try this again, so this is my second bottle in as many days.

This wine ticks all the right boxes for me. It’s a GSM blend. The fruit is really bright and juicy. Succulent. I’m not sure how extracted this is, but it’s got a lot of interesting intense flavor leaning towards a rich slightly modern wine, but its really light and lively, with nice cutting and seamless acidity.

I"m not up to speed on vintage reports for Priorat, but the 14.5% is so well hidden I’m guessing it wasn’t too hot.

I doubt this is widely available. Priorat seems like a fridge player to me. But I’m glad to have found something locally that strikes a nice balance between approachable red blending with old world terrior but a bit of modern wine making. Good cellar defender.

2

I’m always surprised at the negative reputation Priorat has here, I find it to be some of the most satisfying wine at every price, both red and white.

3

I agree Nolan

4

It’s not very common around here unfortunately. And usually the good ones are expensive. And white is unheard-of. I am new here so I wasn’t aware of it’s reputation. It’s usually just a Grenache blend, like the popular S Rhone, so I would think it would be popular from a fruit profile perspective. But I would not be surprised if Priorat is typically, stylistically richer than a lighter and more popular Burgundy.

5

Southern Rhone isn’t very popular around here either!