The 2021 L'Ermita is a legend in the making, with 13.9% alcohol, the lowest ever, mind-boggling finesse and detail, purity, symmetry, elegance and great freshness that makes it vibrant with a low pH of 3.31 and 6.18 grams of acidity. These parameters should make it long-lived, and the wine is going to be vibrant and develop citrus nose of grapefruit and orange peel. It's a powerful wine with plenty of energy, abundant tannins, even more fine and elegant than those from the 2020 I tasted next to it, and with great balance. It has a high percentage of Cari?ena, much higher than the 2020, and comes down to 75% Garnacha, 24% Cari?ena and 1% whites. They expect to produce some 2,800 bottles of this 2021 in April 2023. Prices will be increased around 16%.

2020 was a low-yielding year because of mildew, so there are only 1,441 bottles of the 2020 L'Ermita, which reflects the variability in the old Garnacha vines. It was produced with a blend of 92% Garnacha, 7% Cari?ena and 1% Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo and PX. The difference between this and the 2020 Les Aubaguetes is the finesse and subtleness of L'Ermita and the class and quality of the tannins. L'Ermita carries the category of Gran Vinya Classificada, the top of the official vineyard classification in Priorat.

L'Ermita carries the "gran vinya classificada," the top of the official vineyard classification in Priorat, and the 2019 L'Ermita comes from 1.45 hectares planted in 1939 with Garnacha, Cari?ena and white grapes. The grapes for the 2019 vintage—73% Garnacha, 26% Cari?ena and 1% white grapes (Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo and Pedro Ximenez)—were picked between October 11th and 14th. The wine is close to 15% alcohol but has a low pH (freshness) from fermenting with 30% whole bunches in oak vats with indigenous yeasts and maturing in French oak casks for 14 months. Contrary to what I saw in many 2019s, this is higher in Cari?ena than ever, but the grapes were all co-fermented in two 1,000-liter oak vats, and there is perfect integration of the varieties. There was an incredible richness of aromas here, perfumed, intoxicating and showy, an extroverted vintage, with a deeper voice than the 2018. There is incredible precision and finesse here, subtleness and elegance. The wine is compact, seamless and with incredible balance. It's both powerful and elegant, and there is energy and light, symmetry and clout. There are layers and layers here, with a spherical core, fresh and agile, all the things a great wine should have. It has an endless finish. Amazing! 2,070 bottles were filled in May 2021.