2019 Alvaro Palacios Camins del Priorat

Àlvaro is one of the group of 5 famed ‘pioneers’ who arrived in Priorat in 1989 primed to recover and reinvent the remnant old local Garnatxa of the region. Camins is a summation of the region, taking quality fruit from 60 growers and 7 of the 12 villages of Priorat. In part, it expresses vineyards being replanted to local Garnatxas, but it also serves as home for French varieties culled from the site-specific wines. Produced from mostly Grenache with a blend of other indigenous and international varietes, the fruit is de-stemmed, fermented in open concrete, wood and inox vats, and matured for 8 months in larger, old French oak. 

Other Reviews....
Gorgeous, bright fruit with raspberries, black cherries and lavender with some schist. It’s medium-bodied with very polished and integrated tannins that go on and on. Drink or hold.
94 Points
JamesSuckling.com (January 2021)

The regional blend 2019 Camins del Priorat is a blend of 35% Garnacha, 24% Syrah, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cariñena, 10% Merlot and 3% other varieties. The grapes were destemmed, lightly crushed and then fermented with the natural yeasts in a combination of stainless steel, oak and concrete vats. After fermentation, it matured in barrel and oak vats for four months. This wine showcases the power and concentration of 2019, an extraordinarily warm and dry year, but the wine has great finesse. There are more balsamic aromas from the Bordeaux varieties, which incredibly didn't dehydrate that year: the leaves took a long time to turn yellow. There are notes of licorice and something balsamic. This is juicy and chewy, powerful, pungent and intense, with muscle but with great balance and very clean. This is the most modern and international of their wines, with a showy profile. A triumph over the conditions of the vintage. 237,000 bottles produced. Drink 2020 - 2024.
91 Points
Luis Gutiérrez - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (December 2020)

Shimmering violet. Vibrant blackberry, cherry and floral aromas are complemented by hints of licorice and succulent herbs. Concentrated bitter cherry and dark berry preserve flavors stretch out and turn livelier with air. Gently gripping tannins give shape and focus to a long, spicy finish that shows very good clarity and repeating florality. Drink 2022 - 2028.
92 Points
Josh Raynolds - Vinous (February 2021)