At a glance

Producer

Clos Erasmus

Region

Priorat, Spain

Grape variety

Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (typical blend)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$120-$180 per bottle

Tasting profile

Dense blackberry and black cherry fruit, graphite, licorice, and mineral notes with firm tannins and a touch of oak spice

Evolution: Fruit will integrate with tertiary notes of leather, earth, and truffle over the next decade

At peak: Complex layered profile balancing ripe fruit, ripe tannins, and earthy, mineral-driven finish

Structure

Acidity

Medium-high acidity supporting freshness

Tannins

Firm, round, well-integrated

Alcohol

14.5-15%

Aging potential

20-25+ years due to balanced tannin and acidity with fruit concentration

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2027 to 2054

Optimal window

2022 to 2057

Current status

Approaching early maturity

Current condition

Youthful tannic structure with dense fruit concentration

The 2017 vintage in Priorat was excellent, offering ripe fruit and balanced acidity, allowing slow maturation of complex flavors and tannin softening over two decades.

Food pairing

Hearty red meats, lamb, game, grilled vegetables, mature cheeses

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — To soften tannins and open the complex aromas

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 8/10

Sustainable dry farming practices minimizing irrigation, use of cover crops to improve soil health, minimal intervention winemaking

Clos Erasmus employs organic viticulture with emphasis on dry farming to conserve water in Priorat’s rugged terroir. Energy use is monitored with some solar power, and packaging uses recycled materials. The estate's smaller scale limits large-scale transport emissions, though export to global markets still adds some footprint.