2008 Bodegas Mas Alta La Basseta

In some of the more rugged terroirs of Europe, they have an old saying, "Here the vines are Catholic. They love to suffer." Viticulturalists now understand the truth of the adage - in order to maximise flavour, you must reduce yields and maintain an equilibrium of tension in the vines. In Spain, vines go to purgatory in Priorat. Steep staircases of dark slate, shale and thin bands of red clay where machinery is impossible and hand harvests are a health hazard have proven to extricate the most interesting characteristics of indigenous varietals like Garnacha (Grenache) and Cariñena (Carignan).

Since Rene Barbier from Clos Mogador put Priorat back on the map some 15 years ago, many wine writers and collectors have re-enstated it as Spain's most elite wine region with prices now fetching up to $700+ / bottle.Oblivious to such success, almost no one lives here. Yet the costs of working the terrain physically and financially have not deterred outsiders. Enter a new generation of visionary sadists. 'Bodegas Mas Alta' is the culmination of five Belgian partners' common desire to produce great wine. It has matured under the supervision of Rhone legends, Michel Tardieu and Philippe Cambie (Robert Parker's Consultant Winemaker of the Year 2011).

As direct imports, we offer several very affordable wines to help you get a grip on this amazing terroir, as well as two flagship cuvees for those deep-pocketed wine adventurers with a penchant for excess. Whatever your bent, our allocation of all wines is extremely limited.

If it's feminine, it is in an amply curvaceous way.
Some might consider the Bodega's reference to La Basseta as their most 'feminine' wine as slightly misplaced. Phillipe Cambie's stamp is evident in its liqueur like intensity that's reminscent of reds he's consulted for from Southern France. It is composed of 60% Grenache from the Bodegas' best vineyard, the rest equal proportions of Carignan and Syrah.

Totally opaque black dark purple colour with dark purple crimson red hue. The nose displays lifted perfumed notes of ripe blackberry, black raspberry and dark chocolate followed by some liquorice and spicy leather like overtones. The palate boasts an amazing level of concentration, richness and power – totally mouthfilling with flavours of liquorice, black raspberry and dark chocolate completely swamping the palate followed by a very spicy back palate & some light earthy like overtones. Velvet smooth tannins. Exceptional depth & very long aftertaste of black raspberry, liquorice, spice & leather.
Cellar 5-8 years (2017-2020).
Alc 14.5%