2009 Bodegas Mas Alta Els Pics

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.

Described as the Bodega's "Simple Pleasure" El Pics is a blend of fruit sourced from Mas Alta's younger plantings. It spent twelve months in old & new Allier French oak. Opaque black purple colour with purple crimson hue. The nose presents lifted scents of dark cherry, raspberry and plum with a hint of liquorice and earthy leather as end notes. Full bodied, the palate displays joosy rich flavours of dark cherry and black raspberry followed by some liquorice and spice with some earthy leather like overtones. Excellent depth. Very fine grained perfectly integrated tannins with long aftertaste of black raspberry, liquorice, spice & a touch of leather.
Drink over the next 4-5 years (2016-2017).
Alc 14.0%