WCC Blind Priorat Tasting
Salty's Pub & Bistro, Clifton Park, NY (7/28/2016)

My Albany-area group (the Wine Collectors Club) got together to taste Priorat blind. I had none in my cellar, and after this tasting, I'm ok with that.

John Marzilli and his staff planned six courses of food inspired by our theme of Spanish wine. We only had 3 flights of wine, and the first three courses weren't very red wine friendly (but they were very delicious), so we didn't really synch up the food with the wine.

Dinner began about 7:30 and ended about 9:30.

Click on any image with a border for a larger view of that image, which may also contain more image.

Nothing about the exterior of Salty's prepares you for the quality of the food we get there:

The table is set:

The menu:

Serving the first course:

Course 1: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Manchego Cheese and Ibérico Ham Tartine. Fire-Roast Heirloom Tomatoes,
Black Truffle, Cucumber Water Gazpacho. Delicious, and the soup was amazing.


Jared and Matthew having fun:


Course 2: Spanish Boquerones
Marinated White Anchovies, Chorizo Vinegarette, Crispy Tortilla, Manzanilla Olive Tapenade, and
Frisée. This was so tasty, but not a good match to the wines.


Flight 1: 2000-2001
  1. 2000 Celler Vall Llach Priorat Porrera - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
    [Double decanted for 45 min at 5:30.] Black fruit, alcohol, and chocolate nose. Chewy, tasty. Still young. Group #2 WOTN.(92 points)
  2. 2001 Mas Igneus Priorat Costers de Mas Igneus - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
    [Double decanted for 75 minutes at 4:15pm.] Smokey mature nose of mulch and turpentine. Nasty varnish on the palate. Probably corked. (NR/flawed)
  3. 2001 Alvaro Palacios Priorat Les Terrasses - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
    [Double decanted at 11:30am.] Harsh, muted nose. Very high alcohol. (66 points)
  4. 2001 Gran Clos Priorat Gran Clos - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
    [Double decanted at 10:30am.] Delicious, rich, tasty, simple. (88 points)
    5. I've never before seen a wine where the vintage is only on the capsule.


Course 3: Filet of Rainbow Trout
Adirondack Rainbow Trout cooked Sous Vide, Toasted Farro "Risotto",
Roasted Pepper Coulis, Grilled Onion "Salsa". Another amazing food
course that didn't go with the wine, but at this point, who cares?


One member of our group is shy:


Course 4: Char Grilled Quail
Grilled Quail Rubbed with Coffee and Cinnamon served over Sweet Potato Hash, Sautéed Asparagus,
and Baby Arugula Salad. Delicious! And went well with the wines!


Flight 2: Mas Doix Salanques
  1. 2004 Mas Doix Priorat Salanques - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
    [Opened at 4:15pm. Double decanted for 10 minutes at 5:30pm.] Smoky, red fruit nose. Rich, young, tart tannic. Needs some time. (91 points)
  2. 2007 Mas Doix Priorat Salanques - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
    [Double decanted at 11:30am.] Sweet fruit nose. Very young and tannic. Long and tasty. Refined tannin. WOTN so far for me. (93 points)
  3. 2008 Mas Doix Priorat Salanques - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
    [Double decanted at 11:30am.] Sweet black fruit nose. Very similar to previous wine. Quite tasty, long and interesting. Group #1 WOTN. (93 points)
  4. 2012 Mas Doix Priorat Salanques - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
    [Double decanted for 7 hours at 8am.] Dark black fruit. Tasty, but very young and backward. Needs time! (91 points)


Course 5: Pistachio Crusted Lamb Chop
Colorado Lamb Loin, Cannellini Bean Puree, Grilled Zucchini, Pickled Mustard Seed, Tart Cherry Jus.
I've never had a better lamb chop.


Flight 3: 2003-2011
  1. 2003 Clos Mogador Priorat - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
    [Double decanted for 45 min at 5:30.] Sweet and yummy. Tasty and simple. Enjoyable. (88 points)
  2. 2006 Gran Clos Priorat Gran Clos - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
    [Double decanted at 5 pm for about 40 minutes.] Tart simple, but with a long, yummy finish. Young but drinkable. (91 points)
  3. 2010 Mas Doix Priorat Costers de Vinyes Velles - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
    [Double decanted at 7am.] Quite sour and unpleasant. (68 points)
  4. 2011 Bodegas La Cartuja Priorat - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
    [Double decanted at 11:30am.] Big finish! Lovely, complex black fruit. A pleasure to drink, but also something more interesting here. Group #3 WOTN. (93 points)
    5. Note the 2nd wine: I've never before seen a wine where the vintage is only on the capsule.

Course 6: Foie Gras Tart
Seared Foie Gras, Whipped Basil Ricotta Cheese, Strawberry and Rhubarb Compote,
Bacon Powder, and Pink Peppercorn. This was amazing. Savory enough to go with
the wines, but that touch of sweetness makes it seem like a dessert as well.


Notes posted from CellarTracker.


WOTN Voting (3pts each for #1, 2pts for #2, 1pt for #3)

RankPts#Wine
11572008 Mas Doix Priorat Salanques
21112000 Celler Vall Llach Priorat Porrera
37122011 Bodegas La Cartuja Priorat
4692003 Clos Mogador Priorat
55102006 Gran Clos Priorat Gran Clos
6462007 Mas Doix Priorat Salanques

 

 

 

All original content © Ken Vastola