2007 Bodegas Mas Alta La Creu Alta

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.

A stunning expression of Priorat terroir.
Typically only 1500 bottles of this extraordinary blend from low yielding centenary Carignan vines and 30-40 year old Grenache are made each year. Largely matured in new French oak it pours a super saturated opaque black purple colour with very deep black purple hue showing excellent glass cling.
Superb nose of dark chocolate, black raspberry and black plum followed by some liquorice and spicy leather end notes showing excellent intensity. The palate delivers a sublime matrix of power and structure with decadently rich flavours of liquorice, cassis, black cherry and spice which are followed by some blackpepper and leather with the spiciness merging with the blackpepper on the back palate. Firm but fine grained tannins, appropriate to support the density of fruit. Outstanding length with exceptionally long aftertaste of black cherry, liquorice, cassis and spice.
Cellar 8-10 years plus (2020-2022).
Alc 15.0%