Alvaro Palacios 2022 Camins del Priorat

Pairs with: Jamón Ibérico

Good for: Elevating your dinner party

Grape: Grenache, Samso, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah

I am from: Priorat, Spain

The Story: Álvaro Palacios acquired his first vineyard, Finca Dofí, in 1990. Then, in 1993, he located what is now regarded as the appellation’s crown jewel property—a precipitous, northeast-facing vineyard on well-drained schist that had been planted between 1900 and 1940. Álvaro named it "L’Ermita" for a small chapel, or hermitage, that sits atop the hill. Drawing on his wealth of vineyard sources, Álvaro crafts Camins not only to be affordably priced, but also to be true to his vision of Priorat— powerful but elegant, approachable but restrained.

Why You'll Love Me: Hints of stewed herbs and baked cherries, strawberries; some hibiscus and dark spices. Fruity, medium-bodied on the palate with fine-grained tannins and a fresh, medium-long finish.

91 points, James Suckling