Celler Cal Pla, Priorat, Mas D'en Compte Blanco

Sample tasting at work (Oinoscent) : 19.20 The wine shows tensity, ripe citrus, stone fruit, fine nutty frame, spicy, sweet spice notes. Palate is nutty, fruit, mineral, warmth, full body, tasty, savory, dusty. 20.00 Spicy, nutty, ripe fruit, candied notes, elegant, Condrieu-like, lively 20.20 Nuttier, more mineral, some chocolate and coffee notes emerging, ripe fruit, lively with a certain bitterness emerging from behind 22.40 Toasty, nutty, roasted veggies, bitterness dominating the palate now, overripe citrus fruit, full body, mineral, warmth

From 75cl, good cork, opened but not decanted 2 hours. This needed time in the cellar, and – crucially – aeration before serving. Outstanding fat Rhône-style blend with Priorat slate minerality and a massive acidic backbone. Gradually approcahing full maturity, this is, alas, my final bottle of this vintage. If you're fortunate enough to have this in the cellar, then congratulations. Just give it plenty of air before serving, initially at fridge temperature, so it can gradually warm up and …

From 75cl, perfect cork. Very dark yellow, with an almost orange tinge. Decanted 1 hour — it helped. The stinky barnyard disappeared and what was left was delicious. Big buttery Meursault-style oaky scent; herbal Provencal entry; complex but well-balanced mid-palate and a much cleaner finish than I remember from my previous two bottles of this vintage. No hurry. 90P

From 75cl, decent cork, P+P. On second tasting, I feel more confident: This is the least attractive vintage of this excellent wine I have tasted (those being 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014). Dark yellow, fat, rustic, expressive, a real peasant wine, perhaps best with bean and sausage stew? Lots of character, one to show up all those soulless Picpouls served in Dorset gastropubs, and much of the more denuded produce of the Rhône. Nonetheless, there are far better whites from the …

Got this wine while visiting Priorat. Beautiful golden color with a very oaky and buttery nose and palate. Super long finish. Reminded me of a big buttery Chardonnay from Nor. Cal.

From 75cl, good cork. I thought this was a pretty flabby showing after the 2010, 2011 and 2012 vintages. Tamed, sweetish, rounded, lacking the sharp edges and complexity I remember and expected. Perhaps a couple of years in the cellar might help? 88-89P(?)

Eðalklúbburinn in Catalunya; 9/3/2017-9/9/2017 (Catalunya) : Golden yellow in colour. Heavy and heady bouquet. Oak, butter, vanilla. In the mouth melon, minerals, salinity, anise. Full bodied and nuanced wine. Great effort.