2015 Clos Martinet Spain Red

2015 Clos Martinet

96 RP

Featured Review

I love the 2015 Clos Martinet, which I find complex and elegant while keeping the Priorat rustic character found in the best vintages, like 2000. It's balanced, and the palate feels ethereal for the concentration it has. The tannins are abundant but very fine-grained, and there is a sense of harmony that is captivating. A great Clos Martinet. I had the chance to drink the 2000 a few days before I tasted this, and it remains one of the best years they have produced. 2015 is also among the best years. The favorites for Sara Pérez are 2009, 2013, 2015 and 2017. 12,000 bottles were filled in April 2017. Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Robert Parker | 96 RP

Winemaker Sara Pérez isn’t an unalloyed fan of Cabernet Sauvignon in Priorat, 'but if I’m here and doing what I love', she acknowledges, 'it’s because my parents came here and planted Cabernet Sauvignon'. This deftly sewn, refined and limitlessly classy wine is a blend of Garnatxa and Carinenya - Pérez’s passion: 'when it’s very good it’s always better than the other grape varieties'. Smaller quantities of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are also in the blend. The Grenache component is whole-bunch fermented. The wine is aromatically subtle and fine-grained, with flower and spice notes, then delicate, poised and complex on the palate. Fig, plum and pomegranate flavours are lent gravity by rounded, wealthy tannins. Drinking Window 2018 - 2018.

Decanter | 94 DEC

Deep, brilliant ruby-red. Ripe red berries and potpourri on the expansive, mineral-accented nose, with a sexy Asian spice quality adding complexity. Offers juicy, palate-staining raspberry and cherry liqueur and lavender pastille flavors that show superb precision and energy. A hint of white pepper adds spicy back-end cut. The floral and mineral notes carry through an impressively long, focused finish that's given shape by fine-grained, even tannins.

Vinous Media | 94 VM

Type of Wine	Spain Red : Spanish wines shouldn't be overlooked under any circumstances, as there are plenty of extraordinary wines coming from this country. There are also lots of grape varietals grown all over Spain. Some of the most gorgeous red varieties are the early-harvested Tempranillo, raspberry-flavored Garnacha, Bobal, Monastrell, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot.
Varietal	Other
Country	Spain : Grapevines have been cultivated on the Iberian Peninsula for thousands of years, making Spain one of the oldest wine producing countries on earth. With nearly 1 million hectares under vine, Spain is in possession of more grapevines that any other nation in the world. Today, vineyard cultivation takes place in virtually every administrative district, making it a leading producer on today’s market. Spain’s vineyards generate an annual wine output of 40.7 million hectoliters, ranking it third in the world behind only France and Italy. Spain is a land of breathtaking beauty, diverse topography, complex cultures and a time honored tradition of viticulture. The country’s broad geographical values play a major role in defining the many wine styles produced. From the cool climes of Galicia and the snow-capped Pyrenees to arid Andalucía in the south, and every region in between the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, Spain boasts one of the most diverse terroirs in the world. The country’s myriad of soils and complex climate systems creates an expansive planting ground for a multitude of varietals. Tempranillo has long played an instrumental role in Spanish winemaking. It is important to note that of the 236,000 hectares being cultivated world-wide, 202,000 are planted in Spain. It is commonly utilized in the production of still red wines from Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro and has taken the world by storm. In the past few decades, wines produced in Rioja have been some of the most popular, and in 2017, wines with a “Rioja” label were the most purchased on the wine market. Bodegas Vega Sicilia, located in Ribera del Duero in northern Spain has been one of the most sought after producers hailing from Spain, and Tinta de Toro (otherwise known as Tempranillo everywhere else) has certainly placed its mark on the region and the world. Spain is also renowned for its production of sweet, raisened Moscatel, fortified Madeira, sparkling Cava and its rising, but shining star, Albarino, which hails from the Rias Baixas appellation of Galicia. Some of the most recognizable names in the world of wine hail from Spain. In the past few decades there has been a collision of New and Old World winemaking; one which has greatly contributed to the continued success of the Spanish wine industry. Modernization of vineyards, facilities and viticulture has greatly improved the significance of Spain in the wine market. Syrah and Merlot have taken root in Spanish wine regions and combined with the indigenous Garnacha (Grenache) Garnacha Blanca (Grenache Blanc), Godello and many others, the country has not only adapted to new styles of winemaking but also the ever changing palate of consumers.
Region	Priorat : Coming from the autonomous community of Catalonia, Priorat reds are some of the most powerful and commanding wines on the market today. Their sheer strength and rich, intense flavor have earned them a spot in many collectors' cellars, as well as a part in some of the most grandiose feasts ever arranged. The winemakers' ability to bring out the full potential of Garnacha Tinta, Garnacha Peluda, Cabernet Sauvignon and other red varietals is legendary, and their whites aren't far behind, making use of the unique flavor and intensity of Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo, and more. The environment these grapes are grown in is notoriously difficult to tame, posing a challenge for even the most experienced winemaking veterans. However, should they succeed, the rewards are majestic, with a flavor bouquet combining tar, licorice, and strong, brandied cherries. There really isn't anything like these wines in any other region, and so collectors from around the globe keep a close eye on this community and its glorious produce. There's something inimitable about fine Priorat, something calculated yet not fully bound by logic, like an elixir from some old alchemical myth. Should you wish to add a Priorat bottle or two to your collection, we're here to help you out. As a premium wine retailer, we've assembled a careful selection of the most groundbreaking Priorat wines!