Terroir al Limit | Priorat | Dits del Terra | 2018 | 750ml

Description

Product description for Terroir al Limit Dits del Terra 2018

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 to mature 100% in Stockinger foudres. 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 procedure as the other red cuvées. Huber learned “Grappes entieres” in earlier years during his time with Tom Lubbe of Matassa and adopted this method 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

Dark, luminous cherry red

Nose

2018 Dits del Terra starts off as usual, dark and lush. Licorice, tar, and dark chocolate contrast with blackberries and cassis. Black olive meets rosemary, sage, and thyme. Graphite, mint, and eucalyptus provide plenty of ethereal and cool elements. But above all, the glass contains violets and pansies, which compete with black pepper, juniper, and the cool slate nose to see who can dominate the aromatics.

Palate

On the palate, it contrasts with the dark and concentrated notes of the nose. Sour cherry and red currant emerge juicy, tart, yet intensely fruity. Many cool and delicate elements suddenly take over. The Dits del Terra imbues every voluptuous character and calls out the word “elegance” loudly to the world. The acidity is present, but perfectly integrated. The slate leaves clear traces in the form of ragged spice and cool minerality. It coats the mouth with silkiness and grace. Power suddenly appears so delicate, feminine, and fragile. Only a very fine tannin flatters the palate in a supportive way. In the aftertaste, sour cherries with blueberries spread out to a phenomenally long finish.

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Keywords: Terroir al Limit Dits del Terra 2018 Priorat Spain

Wine Advocate

Score: 95

The south-facing Cariñena vineyard used for the 2018 Dits del Terra is worked biodynamically and is in the process of being certified organic. The grapes fermented in concrete with indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in 50% oak foudre and 50% in concrete. The 2019 will be 100% concrete. You can immediately notice the cooler year and the longer ripening cycle here compared with the 2017; there is more depth here, and the quality of the tannins is completely different and provide for a more elegant mouthfeel. The oak is neatly integrated and folded into the structure of the wine. It comes through as medium-bodied, powerful and elegant. It should develop nicely in bottle. 2,006 bottles were filled in September 2020.
Luis Gutiérrez

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