Celler Cecilio Black Slate Priorat Gratallops - 2022 (750ml)

August Vicent is not only the proprietor of Celler Cecilio, the oldest registered estate in Priorat (established in 1942), but he happens to be a neighbor of Daphne Glorian and Eric Solomon in the small village of Gratallops. He makes characterful, lush, and exotically-spiced wines from his vineyards in the village and has been persuaded to sell us some for our Black Slate Gratallops. It is a blend of Garnatxa Negra, Carinyena, and Syrah from vines ranging from 20 to 65+ years old. Fermented entirely with indigenous yeasts, it is aged in a combination of concrete and French oak barrels.

90 points Robert Parker

The 2022 Black Slate Gratallops was produced with Cariñena, Garnacha and Syrah from Gratallops that fermented separately with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel at low temperature to keep the fruit. Only 20% of the volume matured in used French oak barrels for 14 months, while the rest was kept in stainless steel. It has 14.46% alcohol and 5.1 grams of acidity. The nose is showy and a bit spirity (it makes me think of a Port!) with notes of ripe berries in liqueur. It has some dusty tannins with some earthy notes and a dry finish. 22,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2023. Luis Gutiérrez May 16, 2024