Made from 60-100-year old Carignan vines, and aged in new oak, the exuberant, full-bodied, rustic, but mouthstaining as well as filling 1999 Priorat is loaded with concentrated black fruits intermixed with scents of earth, new saddle leather, and vanillin. Full-bodied, powerful, and rich yet seamless, this terrific wine is best drunk during its first 5-6 years of life to take advantage of its exuberance and purity. Carignan is not a noble varietal, and despite how impressive this wine is, I cannot imagine it developing more complexity. Consume it early for its intensity, richness, and freshness. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565