Alvaro Palacios 2023 Camins del Priorat 750ml

The 2023 Camins del Priorat is the regional blend from eight villages and 90 different vineyards, produced with 45% Garnacha, 17% Cariñena, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 9% Syrah and 6% white grapes, Garnacha Blanca and Pedro Ximenez. It fermented in a mixture of stainless steel, concrete and oak vats with indigenous yeasts and some full clusters with a maceration of 21 days and a short élevage in oak barrels and vats for four months. It has a bright ruby color, paler than the 2024 I tasted next to it, harmonious and elegant; the balsamic note has receded and the Mediterranean character more obvious. It's clean and expressive, polished and elegant.

Score: 90+ points -- Luis Gutierrez, The Wine Advocate, 2025