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Showing 1 to 11 of 11 (1 Pages)

Buy Wine from Álvaro Palacios

In the heart of the prestigious Priorat wine region, near Barcelona, stands the Álvaro Palacios winery, a name that resonates strongly in the Spanish oenological revolution that began in the 1980s. Álvaro Palacios, born into a family of winegrowers in Alfaro, in the Rioja Baja, decided not to follow the path laid out by his family in Palacios Remondo.

Inspired by his love of Burgundy and wine regions with a monastic past, Álvaro joined a group of visionary producers - René Barbier, José Luis Pérez, Carles Pastrana and Daphne Glorian - who had discovered the potential of Priorat, a then isolated and underdeveloped region.

Álvaro, as the youngest of the group and nicknamed "the dolphin", took part in a landmark joint winemaking project in the 1980s. Each member of the group bottled a part of the wine under his own brand, and Álvaro's wine, Clos Dofí, became the forerunner of a new model in Priorat. This model combined local varieties such as Garnacha and Cariñena with foreign varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, and opted for ageing in new French oak barrels. This innovative approach attracted the attention of international markets, especially in the United States and Switzerland, driven in part by the influence of wine critic Robert Parker. The resulting wines were powerful, concentrated and distinctly mineral, thanks to the region's slate soils.

Gratallops Priorat, where Álvaro Palacios decided to establish his winery, is a region with a winemaking history dating back to medieval times, when Carthusian monks began to cultivate vines. This history and tradition, combined with a landscape of steep hills and unique licorella (slate) soils, created the perfect setting for Álvaro Palacios wines. His arrival in Priorat in the 1990s marked a turning point in the region, ushering in an era of high quality wines that quickly gained international recognition.

Vineyards

Álvaro Palacios ' vineyards in Priorat are characterised by their unique terroir, with slate soils that give the wines a distinctive minerality. The Álvaro Palacios range of wines includes Les Terrasses, with a production of approximately 100,000 bottles; Finca Dofí, from a 10-hectare estate with vines between 19 and 31 years old; and the renowned L'Ermita, which comes from a small, old vineyard between 84 and 104 years old. The latter, located on a steep slope ranging from 350 to 430 metres above sea level, was classified in 2017 as the appellation's first classified grand cru (equivalent to a grand cru) vineyard.

Álvaro Palacios' approach to the vineyard is meticulous and respectful of the environment. He practices organic agriculture, avoiding the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides, and in many cases, he uses traditional methods such as ploughing with mules. This connection with the land and respect for nature is reflected in every bottle of wine produced. The vineyards are planted on steep slopes, which requires intense manual labour, but still allows for precise control over the growing process.

Philosophy

Álvaro Palacios ' philosophy has focused on making wines that reflect the unique terroir of Priorat. Over the years, it has evolved towards a more expressive and aerial style, with wines that are less structured but more drinkable since their launch on the market. This evolution is evident in wines such as Camins del Priorat, a fresh and fruity wine launched in 2007, and Gratallops, which is under the "Vi de la Vila" designation and made only from local varieties. The current trend in their top wines is towards almost pure Garnacha, although they also include small proportions of white grapes such as Garnacha Blanca and Macabeo.

Álvaro Palacios ' philosophy is not only focused on the expression of terroir, but also on the constant search for perfection and purity in his wines. This quest has led him to experiment with different vinification and ageing techniques, always with the aim of highlighting the unique characteristics of each variety and plot. His wines are a reflection of his passion and dedication, offering an experience that goes beyond the palate, connecting the drinker with the land and the history of Priorat.

Álvaro Palacios has not only been a pioneer in the revitalisation of Priorat, but also an innovator in the Spanish wine world. He has introduced practices and techniques that have been adopted by other producers in the region and throughout Spain. His influence extends beyond his own vineyards, contributing to the growth and prestige of the Spanish wine industry on the world stage.

Álvaro Palacios wines have received numerous awards and recognitions over the years. L'Ermita, in particular, has been hailed as one of the best wines in Spain, and has achieved an almost mythical status among wine enthusiasts and collectors. But beyond awards, what really sets Álvaro Palacios apart is his ability to capture the essence of Priorat in every bottle, offering wines that are true works of art.

Showing 1 to 11 of 11 (1 Pages)

Buy Wine from Álvaro Palacios

In the heart of the prestigious Priorat wine region, near Barcelona, stands the Álvaro Palacios winery, a name that resonates strongly in the Spanish oenological revolution that began in the 1980s. Álvaro Palacios, born into a family of winegrowers in Alfaro, in the Rioja Baja, decided not to follow the path laid out by his family in Palacios Remondo.

Inspired by his love of Burgundy and wine regions with a monastic past, Álvaro joined a group of visionary producers - René Barbier, José Luis Pérez, Carles Pastrana and Daphne Glorian - who had discovered the potential of Priorat, a then isolated and underdeveloped region.

Álvaro, as the youngest of the group and nicknamed "the dolphin", took part in a landmark joint winemaking project in the 1980s. Each member of the group bottled a part of the wine under his own brand, and Álvaro's wine, Clos Dofí, became the forerunner of a new model in Priorat. This model combined local varieties such as Garnacha and Cariñena with foreign varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, and opted for ageing in new French oak barrels. This innovative approach attracted the attention of international markets, especially in the United States and Switzerland, driven in part by the influence of wine critic Robert Parker. The resulting wines were powerful, concentrated and distinctly mineral, thanks to the region's slate soils.

Gratallops Priorat, where Álvaro Palacios decided to establish his winery, is a region with a winemaking history dating back to medieval times, when Carthusian monks began to cultivate vines. This history and tradition, combined with a landscape of steep hills and unique licorella (slate) soils, created the perfect setting for Álvaro Palacios wines. His arrival in Priorat in the 1990s marked a turning point in the region, ushering in an era of high quality wines that quickly gained international recognition.

Vineyards

Álvaro Palacios ' vineyards in Priorat are characterised by their unique terroir, with slate soils that give the wines a distinctive minerality. The Álvaro Palacios range of wines includes Les Terrasses, with a production of approximately 100,000 bottles; Finca Dofí, from a 10-hectare estate with vines between 19 and 31 years old; and the renowned L'Ermita, which comes from a small, old vineyard between 84 and 104 years old. The latter, located on a steep slope ranging from 350 to 430 metres above sea level, was classified in 2017 as the appellation's first classified grand cru (equivalent to a grand cru) vineyard.

Álvaro Palacios' approach to the vineyard is meticulous and respectful of the environment. He practices organic agriculture, avoiding the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides, and in many cases, he uses traditional methods such as ploughing with mules. This connection with the land and respect for nature is reflected in every bottle of wine produced. The vineyards are planted on steep slopes, which requires intense manual labour, but still allows for precise control over the growing process.

Philosophy

Álvaro Palacios ' philosophy has focused on making wines that reflect the unique terroir of Priorat. Over the years, it has evolved towards a more expressive and aerial style, with wines that are less structured but more drinkable since their launch on the market. This evolution is evident in wines such as Camins del Priorat, a fresh and fruity wine launched in 2007, and Gratallops, which is under the "Vi de la Vila" designation and made only from local varieties. The current trend in their top wines is towards almost pure Garnacha, although they also include small proportions of white grapes such as Garnacha Blanca and Macabeo.

Álvaro Palacios ' philosophy is not only focused on the expression of terroir, but also on the constant search for perfection and purity in his wines. This quest has led him to experiment with different vinification and ageing techniques, always with the aim of highlighting the unique characteristics of each variety and plot. His wines are a reflection of his passion and dedication, offering an experience that goes beyond the palate, connecting the drinker with the land and the history of Priorat.

Álvaro Palacios has not only been a pioneer in the revitalisation of Priorat, but also an innovator in the Spanish wine world. He has introduced practices and techniques that have been adopted by other producers in the region and throughout Spain. His influence extends beyond his own vineyards, contributing to the growth and prestige of the Spanish wine industry on the world stage.

Álvaro Palacios wines have received numerous awards and recognitions over the years. L'Ermita, in particular, has been hailed as one of the best wines in Spain, and has achieved an almost mythical status among wine enthusiasts and collectors. But beyond awards, what really sets Álvaro Palacios apart is his ability to capture the essence of Priorat in every bottle, offering wines that are true works of art.