Clos Erasmus Priorat Laurel Clos I Terrasses 2018

Clos Erasmus is one of the founding estates of modern-day Priorat. This ancient but forgotten wine region roared to life in the late 1980s with a singular wine – labeled by five different estates, including Erasmus. Now, 35 years later, the wines produced here rival the best anywhere. This cuvee, dubbed “Laurel”, is a fantastic take on the Catalan answer to Châteauneuf du Pape. 96 POINTS (and the previous four vintages all received 95s) give one an idea about the pedigree of these wines! BEST PRICE IN THE U.S.!

Based on the “younger” grenache vines on the estate, this wine also blends in some 20% syrah and 5% cabernet sauvignon into the final mix, (though there has been less cabernet sauvignon each year). While the estate’s flagship wine is grippy and overpowering in its youth (suitable for aging as one would a first-growth Bordeaux), this offering showcases a beautiful approachability – with floral notes of hibiscus and rose, leading into a myriad of spicy red fruits, orange peel, and a crunchy, vibrant minerality. There is a hint of new oak influence to add weight to the mouthfeel and grant polish to the intensity of the fruit – yet this is an unmistakably fresh and lively zip, just screaming to be released into your glass.

Aged for 18 months in a combination of wood and concrete vats, plus once and twice-used barrels, with a dollop of ceramic amphorae for good measure – each vessel imparts its own stamp on the wine that is unified and integrated through the terroir orchestrating presence of Gratallops’ warm, rich soils. 96 points from Wine Advocate is the highest score to date on this remarkably consistent over-achiever. At our price – nearly 40% off the retail – this is an absolute must-have. Put this next to your favorite Châteauneuf-du-Pape producers, and we guarantee you’ll be blown away by the quality and value here!