Embruix (de Vall Llach); Priorat, Spain 2003
This entry was posted on 7/17/2006 6:15 PM and is filed under Spanish Wines, uncommon wines.
Luis LLach is, I am told, a well known singer in Spain who entered the wine business in the 1990's, having purchased a very old vineyard in Priorat with some very old vines (up to 100 years old). His winery, Vall LLach, produces 3 wines, all of them red. The self-named Vall LLach Priorat is the top tier wine from the producer, and contains juice from the oldest vines in the vineyard. The wine is exquisite, but expensive, with prices running about 70 dollars. Idus de Vall LLach is 2nd on the price ladder, running roughly 55 dollars. The entry level wine, if I can call it that, from Vall LLach is Embruix, running about 30 dollars. The Embruix has been hitting very high scores with the wine critics the last few years and represents a great introduction to the art of blending grapes in Priorat, Spain. The 2003 Embruix de Vall LLach scored 93 on Wine Spectator, and has not yet been reviewed by Robert Parker. I tried the wine in July 2006 and found it a captivating wine with a medium ruby color, and bouqet of red fruit, blackberry, chocolate, and all-spice. The wine is a touch hot, running at close to 15% alcohol, but it is well concealed. The tannins are just a bit rough now, but will soften in less than a year for those who like their tannins ultra-tame.
The wine is a mix of roughly 50% Grenache, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Carignan (mostly just Grenache and Cabernet). For those who want to try one of the up and coming wines from this part of Spain which is getting a lot of press, I thoroughly recommend the Embruix de Vall LLach.
3.75 stars
Purchased at the
Wine Exchange in Orange County for $28.99
VinoCritic.com