Cartoixa (Francesc Sanchez-Bas), Cellers de la
Priorat, Spain
Montgarnatx
Blend
2004
$17.99
14.0%
The core remains mainly purple, gentle opacity, the rims fiery brick red to sienna in color, hue still vigorous. The nose sluggish and heavy with muddy earth, peanut shells before anise, pressed flowers, potpourri, prune to plum and cherry compote scents, cocoa powder, just not a lot of meaningful tertiary development. Medium-bodied, dry and twiggy through the attack, taking awhile for that prune, fig, cherry, blackberry fruit to get rolling. Lemon juice, incense, more musky potpourri. Damp leather and damp earth, minimal deviation from the nose. Not much tannin nor acidity. Cinnamon, ginger spice. Feels like its drying out and the exuberance of the fruit will be gone before you gain a decent tradeoff. Drink up while the fruit is still there. 65% Garnacha, 35% Cariņena.
88 points