With the Predicat, Cellers Grifoll Declara has a very good and surprisingly inexpensive Priorat in its portfolio. It consists of the grape varieties Garnacha, Carinena and a little bit of Merlot, which grow here in terraced vineyards with slate soils. After spontaneous fermentation without breeding yeasts, this Priorat is aged for ten months in French oak barrels.
In the posh D.O. Priorat in the Spanish part of Catalonia there are only a few wines in this price range, which are usually not very pleasant. It's different here, the Predicat offers a versatile bouquet with notes of cherries, raspberries and blueberries, plus a delicate spiciness from the wooden barrel aging, a light note of cocoa and vanilla. On the palate it has a good bite, is very full and yet balanced. The vines, some of which are very old, give the Predicat Priorat an excellent depth and aromatic density, which makes it enjoyable even when young, but also enables it to age. Just how you like it best.
Intense meat dishes, e.g. from the grill or game and stews go well with this voluminous red wine.
