Meritxell Palleja Meritxell Palleja Priorat Nita, Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

Tense, precise, and lifted. Crushed hard rock, volcanic sand, and minerals, along with Tellicherry peppercorns and meaty notes throughout. Noticeable heat at the back and finish.

Blind-Final, medium ruby with a purple rim. Medium Strawberry and cherry, boxwood, juniper, charred wood. Developing. Medium juniper and raspberry. Dry. High coatings tannin, medium+ acidity, high alcohol, medium+ body. Juniper, boxwood. Sour plum, strawberry jam in the finish. Very good for good intensity and complexity.

45% Garnacha, 35% Carinena, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Syrah. Refreshing blend and character for a Spanish wine. Ripe, fleshy cherry and weedy vegetation on the nose. The palate is more Blackberry without the typical oak notes. The fruit and Licorella terroir shine on the palate. The Carignan adds a bright fruity note to the mix. The Syrah adds a bit of sexiness. The mineral-laden, cherry stem finish caps off a well-balanced, great value.

Youthful, very earthy, leathery. Long finish with good acidity. Decant for at least 1 hour.

More red-than-blue purple color—not unlike a red plum. Reed fruit on introduction—tart plums (surprise) and raspberries--but without the concomitant sugar-like rush that makes me think cough syrup. Medium bodied. Not tannic at all. Fairly sharp acidity. For the $15 that I paid for it, a pretty good “everyday drinker."

Tended towards minerals, earth, animals and tannin. Not bad, but not my favorite style for priorat.