Laurel 2022

54,90 €

Laurel – the younger sibling of Clos Erasmus, combining the power of Priorat with the elegance of Burgundy. A wine with soft tannins and lush fruit that pairs well with both gourmet dishes and spicier food.

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The wine's story:

Laurel is Clos i Terrasses’ second wine, yet a top Priorat wine in its own right that often surpasses other estates’ flagships. The name refers to the laurel trees on the estate and is a play on the name of Daphne’s husband, Aurelio.

2022 comes from younger vines and a selection of barrels that did not make it into Erasmus, yet it is made with the same care and precision. Laurel is more approachable and can be drunk earlier, but is still deep and nuanced. The warm 2022 vintage brought out a balance of intense fruit and freshness, making it especially attractive to restaurants and wine bars looking for an elite Priorat wine with excellent value for money.

Winemaking:

  • ~75–80% Garnacha, 20% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon (proportions may vary).
  • Vines 5–40 years old
  • 24h cold soak, wild-yeast fermentation (~2–3 weeks), 4-week maceration.
  • 18 months' ageing in used French oak barrels, foudres and amphorae.
  • Alcohol ~14.5%, pH 3.3.
  • ~28,000 bottles produced, bottled in May 2024.
  •  

Tasting notes:

Bright garnet red. The nose is aromatic and expressive – ripe raspberry, blackcurrant, violets and Mediterranean fennel. In the background, cocoa, cedar and graphite, all elegantly integrated.

Silky and balanced on the palate, medium-bodied. Cherries, plum, blackberry and black pepper merge into a harmonious whole. Despite its ripeness the wine is fresh and finely textured, offering a rare combination of airiness and depth.

The tannins are soft and polished, the finish long and fruity, with a touch of herbs and minerality. An elegant, aromatic and refined Priorat red offering both immediate pleasure and ageing potential.

Food pairing:

Laurel is extremely versatile. It pairs well with:

  • Grilled meats: beef tenderloin, rack of lamb.
  • Mediterranean cuisine: Catalan rabbit stew, pork fillet with herbs.
  • Game: quail, duck leg confit.
  • Asian and North African cuisine: moderately spiced dishes such as tagine with figs or tandoori lamb.
  • Cheeses: semi-hard options such as Tomme de Savoie or Spanish Garrotxa goat’s cheese.

Ageing potential:

Although Laurel is intended to be enjoyed younger than Erasmus, it can develop for 8–10 years. The 2022 vintage is best 2024–2032, becoming spicier and earthier by 2027 while retaining its fruit. Older vintages (e.g. 2010) are surprisingly close to a mature Clos Erasmus – a sign of the estate’s consistent excellence.

Ratings & accolades:

Robert Parker Wine Advocate – 95/100
Jeb Dunnuck – 95/100
Wine Spectator – 94/100
Vinous – 93/100

Weight1,4 kg
Dimensions33 × 26 × 3,5 cm
Grape variety
Region
Food pairingAsian cuisine and spicy dishes, Duck and game birds, Soft cheeses, Game and stews, Beef and lamb
In 1988, when Priorat was still a forgotten Spanish wine region, Daphne Glorian took a risk that changed wine history. Born in Paris to Swiss parents, young and passionate about wine, she invested her life savings in a terraced vineyard in Gratallops. Her friends René Barbier, Álvaro Palacios and others had inspired her – and so one of the "big five" houses of Priorat was born. Daphne's project was named after the humanist Erasmus, whose work her scholar father admired. Clos Erasmus, made according to principles of minimal intervention and low yields, quickly became a cult wine, receiving several 100-point scores and securing its place among Spain's top wines. Today viticulture at Clos i Terrasses is led by biodynamics expert Ester Nin, who helps express the uniqueness of Priorat's slate terroir. Alongside Clos Erasmus a second wine was created – Laurel – which allows only the very best barrels to go into the grand vin, ensuring the uncompromising quality of Clos Erasmus. Despite international demand, Clos i Terrasses has remained a small, intimate winery – not just a wine, but a symbol of Daphne Glorian's dedication and the rebirth of Priorat.

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