2001 Rotllan Torra "Tirant" Priorat

A prodigious effort, the 2001 Tirant is a 9,000-bottle cuvee made from 30% Grenache (90-100 years old), 25% Carignan (90-100 years old), 25% young vine Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah, and 10% Merlot. Fermented in large oak foudres and aged 12 months in new French oak, it will be bottled with neither fining nor filtration. Inky/purple-colored to the rim, it boasts a spectacular bouquet of blueberries, blackberries, and the region’s classic crushed stone minerality. This full-throttle yet remarkably elegant 2001 possesses tremendous intensity and texture as well as layers of flavor, but comes across as not over the top, overripe, or overly heavy. The 60-second finish reveals more noticeable tannin than the other cuvees. Give it 1-2 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 10-15. The 2001 Tirant is indeed a special wine. Jordi Rotllan Torra was one of the pioneers of Priorat having founded this small estate in 1984, long before this now fashionable wine region became world renowned. (RP) (4/2004)

A blend of Garnacha and Carignan from 100-year-old vines, the brilliant 2001 Rotllan Torra Priorat Tirant is much more youthful and fresh than the Amadis, boasting gorgeous crème de cassis, smoked blackberries, black olive, violets, and herbed meat aromas on the nose. Intense, pure, and seriously impressive on the nose, it’s no slouch on the palate either and has a full-bodied, powerful, yet elegant feel, notable acidity, and ripe tannin on the lengthy finish. A joy to drink, this still has lots of life and should continue to shine for another decade. (3/2012)

Deep red. Exotic coconutty oak on the rather port-like nose. At once sweeter and more primary than the Amadis, with a penetrating minerality. Also quite oaky, but has more jammy plum and blackberry fruit to stand up to the wood. Still, it's hard to predict whether this slightly pruney wine will reward more time in bottle. Finishes with sweet tannins and good length. (ST) 91+ (10/2004)