2009 Bodegas Mas Alta Artigas

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.

This slightly heavier cuvee, predominately of Grenache, the remainder Carignan and Cabernet, saw 16 months in Allier French oak barrels. It pours opaque black crimson colour with a deep crimson purple hue. The nose displays aromas of black raspberry and liquorice intermixed with some leather followed by some spice end notes. The palate delivers Cambie’s renown fruit richness with opulent black raspberry, liquorice, dark plum and spice flavours combined with svelte tannins. Long aftertaste of black raspberry, spice and liquorice along with nuances of leather.
Cellar 4-5 years (2016-2017).
Alc 14.5%

Other Reviews….
"The more deeply colored 2009 Artigas offers a more complex aromatic array as well as greater structure, depth and concentration. Drink the 2008 for its elegance, the 2009 for its power."
92 points - Wine Advocate #194 May 2011