Description
Alvaro Palacios Les Terrasses 2017
Varietals: 50% Garnacha, 50% Samsó
While originally conceived of as a value wine, Les Terrasses “Velles Vinyes” has slowly evolved into the essence of what makes Priorat special. Drawing on 15+ years of study, Terrasses is sourced from many of the region’s steepest and oldest vineyards—many of them north-facing to avoid the intense afternoon sun. With the 2007 vintage, Alvaro acknowledged Les Terrasses’ “graduation” by adding the “Velles Vinyes” designation to the label.
Located in DOC Priorat, the L’Ermita, Finca Dofí, and Gratallops vineyards are planted on steep slopes around the village of Gratallops at 250 to 600 meters above sea level. Most of the estate vineyards employ traditional head pruning. No artificial fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides are used, and harvests are done exclusively by hand.
Alvaro has been instrumental in introducing the Burgundian ideas of Villages and Cru to Priorat. In 2006, he began to elaborate separately a collection of old vineyards from throughout the township of Gratallops to extend and commercialize this idea.
