2022 Alvaro Palacios Finca Dofi (Priorat)

Impressively structured yet manages to stay soft, silky and plush in the mouth. Very precise yet could be enjoyed early in its life. Dark-cherry and berry fruit, crushed rocks and fine acidity to finish. 17 points

Alvaro Palacios’ 2022 vintage of Finca Dofí tips the scales at 14.5 percent octane in this vintage. This single vineyard wine is primarily made from Garnaxta, but as these vines are old, there are probably a few other varieties co-planted in the parcels. The wine is fermented with native yeasts in barrel and spends one year in French oak casks prior to bottling. The 2022 Finca Dofí reveals a fine aromatic constellation of red and black raspberries, fruitcake, hung game, stony minerality, garrigue, distant bonfire and a very well-done framing of cedary new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, complex and full-bodied, with superb depth of fruit at the core, fine mineral drive and grip, ripe, well-integrated tannins and superb balance on the long, beautifully balanced finish. This is a most impressive wine in the making, but it will need its share of hibernation time in the cellar to soften up those tannins before it starts drinking with generosity. 94 points