Ayers de Escal 2008 comes from one of my favourite Spanish regions of Priorat.
I had been shopping in Clapham and decided to try Oddbins, whether they had something to match with my upcoming venison feast. So I bought this Priorat (there were just two different ones) for £12, which is quite cheap for good Priorat wines.
The wine is juicy, acidic, but round. It is made from Grenache and Caringan grapes, so the former gives berry flavours and juiciness, whereas the latter adds some special touches like minerality to the wine, and of course deeper colours.
Indeed, it has the fruit, colour and freshness. The latter is not overshadowed by American oak barrels ageing either. The intensity of the fruit content is not massive, it is more on a delicate side than explosive. The woodiness is not on the expressive side either – you feel it very very lightly (which surprised me a bit as we are tasting 2008!). It’s a very aromatic, round red that is well priced (I think should it cost more, the expectations will not be matched unfortunately).
It doesn’t have a huge power that one would expect from Priorat, it is slightly shy… yet charming. I will call it as very good, but not outstanding.
