Terroir al Limit | Priorat | Dits del Terra | 2017 | 750ml

Description

Product description for Terroir al Limit Dits del Terra 2017

Info

Since its founding, the winery has been in constant flux. For several years now, Dominik Huber has pursued the vision of doing without wood in the cellar. Dits del Terra is one of the few cuvées that matures 100% in Stockinger-Fudenr. This is intended to enhance the finesse of the hot, dry Priorat and to dress the already warm and powerful wines with more freshness and finesse. The DO already stipulates an alcohol content of 13.5% vol. for a wine with a designation of origin. Huber also follows the credo of “infusion instead of extraction” and thus aims to counteract the further release of colour, extract, tannin, and intensity. The Carignan vines originate from a hot south-facing slope and are harvested much earlier than the cooler Arbossar. Huber probably liked to call Dits del Terra the “US Cuvée” due to its fruit concentration. After the harvest, the grapes are whole-bunch pressed according to the same method as the other red cuvées. Huber learned the “entieres” technique in earlier years during his time with Tom Lubbe at Matassa and adopted it for himself. Oxidation is not really desired in the basket press. Fermentation lasts about 10 days before the grapes are pressed with little pressure. Dominik Huber has a “strong vision of what Priorat should taste like.” He and his team are always among the very first to harvest there, a fact for which they were long ridiculed. Today’s success, however, speaks for them and the path they have chosen.

Colour

Velvety red with violet reflections

Nose

On the nose, the Dits del Terra is much more typical of the region than the other Carignan wines from the 2017 vintage. Dark, concentrated fruit takes center stage: plums, morello cherries, and blueberries. I’d put that in the Priorat just by smelling it. So the name “US Cuvée” is more apt than expected. It’s also reminiscent of the Mediterranean. The famous garrique stands in the glass and reveals lavender, rosemary, and thyme. Cinnamon and clove also make their presence felt. A dark, mysterious note makes you want more.

Palate

From the first sip, it presents itself as polished and pure, cool and majestic. The Priorat nose is revealed on the palate. Pure slate, yet with a very present freshness and punch at the same time. Very similar to the taste of freshly harvested plums. The mouthfeel is racy and has a good grip. A pleasant acidity structure and fine tannins trade blows. I also find it juicy and lean. As a contemporary wine, it also presents itself as green and straightforward with enormous drinking flow. I rate the aging potential as extremely good.

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Keywords: Terroir al Limit Dits del Terra 2017 Priorat Spain

Wine Advocate

Score: 93

Pure Cariñena from a 60-year-old vineyard in the village of Torroja del Priorat, the 2017 Dits del Terra still saw 70% of its volume matured in oak foudre, a percentage that is going to be diminished in future vintages until the wine ages exclusively in concrete. This is also a lot more developed and riper than the 2018, the same as I found in the Arbossar. This has lots of spices (even a touch of curry) and some tertiary aromas coming through. The palate reveals some earthy rusticity, dusty tannins and less depth of flavors than in 2018. 3,300 bottles produced. It was bottled in October 2019.
Luis Gutiérrez

Vinous

Score: 94

Dark, bright-hued garnet. Ripe, mineral- and spice-tinged red and blue fruit and floral scents take on licorice and succulent herb accents with air. Shows a suave blend of depth and energy to the sweet black raspberry, cherry cola and boysenberry flavors, which tighten up on the back half. Strongly repeats the spice and mineral notes on a long, subtly chewy finish framed by slowly mounting tannins.
— Josh Raynolds
Drinking window: 2024 – 2033
Review date: Mar 2021

Producer website: https://terroir-al-limit.com/