Clos Erasmus Priorat 2015

99 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "I had high expectations for the new wines from Daphne Glorian, of which the flagship is the 2015 Clos Erasmus. Since 2002 there's been no Cabernet in the blend, and the 2015 is a blend of 85% Garnacha and 15% Syrah. It's a wine that spends two winters in barrel. It's still super young, and the winter following the bottling (it was bottled in May 2017 at the same time as the Laurel) is when they tend to show closed. It's very tight and with high density, not too expressive at this point in time, but you have to guide yourself by the palate, which is astonishing and has great depth and detail while coming through as light and even ethereal (within its style, of course). According to Daphne Glorian, 2015 was very dry, but on July 19th everything changed and the year was saved by some 40 liters of rain. This is another legendary vintage of Clos Erasmus in the making. It should show much better with a little more time in bottle. 3,000 bottles produced. Drink: 2020-2030. (4/27/18)"

98+ points Jeb Dunnuck: "A blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah that spent 20 months in 40% new oak, the 2015 Clos Erasmus has closed down slightly since bottling and offers a more backward yet still sensationally concentrated profile that’s just begging for another 4-5 years of bottle age. Powerful notes of kirsch, blueberries, blackcurrants, truffle, damp earth, and bouquet garni all emerge from the glass, and this powerhouse hits the palate with full-bodied richness, sweet tannins, a stacked mid-palate, and a great, great finish. It’s one of those wines that carries an incredible amount of richness and power yet still just glides over the palate with no sensation of heaviness or weight. Hide bottles for another 4-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades. Drink: 2023-2043. (4/3/19)"

97 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): " Inky ruby. Mineral-accented cherry and dark berry, incense, potpourri and exotic spice scents show superb clarity and energetic lift. Deeply concentrated yet lively cherry preserve, cassis, violet pastille and fruitcake flavors spread out slowly through the midpalate. The mineral and floral notes resonate emphatically on the gently tannic finish, which shows outstanding energy, persistence and suave florality. Drink: 2025-2037. (Mar 2021)"

96 points Andrew Jefford (Decanter): "You can’t describe Clos Erasmus in any other way than as a luxury wine, yet a close look at the aromatic and flavour detail of this blend of 70% Grenache with 30% Syrah, aged in both barrels and amphorae, shows just what a Priorat thoroughbred it is. The wine is grown in a variety of sites with both north and south facing aspects around the village of Gratallops. It’s deep but not opaque in colour, with complex yet somehow calm and settled aromas - ripe red and black fruits and brushed, fragrant thyme and mint, with a little perfumed sweetness. On the palate it is mouthfilling, intense, deep and amply ripe, with firm though finely-milled tannins, fresh red fruits, juicy acidity and savoury depths, too. Very complete and authoritative, yet also disarmingly lovely. Drinking Window: 2018-2028. (Nov 2017)"