Palacios’ entry-level, the 2008 Camins del Priorat is composed of 60% Carinena, 30% Garnacha, with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The wine spent 3-4 months in barrique followed by tank and cask aging. It offers up an alluring perfume of smoke, spice box, incense, black cherry, plum, and blueberry. Intense, savory, and smooth textured, it has the structure and the fruit density to drink well for a decade. However, no harm will come to those who choose immediate gratification. It is a great value in Priorat wine. Alvaro Palacios established his namesake winery in 1989. The flagship L’Ermita made its debut in 1993. Finca Dofi and L’Ermita vineyards are farmed biodynamically. All of the wines are bottled without filtration. In 2008 Palacios was the last grower in Priorat to harvest, waiting out rains that diluted other growers’ fruit. It appears that 2009 was a slightly more successful vintage for Alvaro Palacios (and most Priorat producers) than was 2008. All of the 2009s were tasted from barrel samples at the Bodega in January 2011. Importer: Mannie Berk, The Rare Wine Company, Sonoma, CA; tel. (800) 999-4342; www.rarewineco.com

This crisp red is bursting with red cherry and berry flavors, sweetened with a bit of vanilla, but balanced with notes of mountain herbs and lead pencil. Not muscular, but has backbone. Drink now through 2014.??–TM??Region: Spain / Priorat Select to Add