2005 Vall Llach Spanish Red "Embruix"

Winery: Vall Llach

Vintage: 2005

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Embruix"

Wine Category: Spanish Red

Grape blend: 38% Grenache, 26% Carignan, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah & 6% Merlot

Region: Priorat

State or country: Spain

Price: $34

Cases produced: 1,900

KWG Score: 94 (based on 5 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (91)

Review date: June 23, 2009

Wine Review: This big boy wine is made for readers that like intense red wines. It is a very dark opaque purple wine. It opens with a port like bouquet emphasizing strong ripe plum scents. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, and rich. The flavor profile is a tasty dusty black currant and spicy ripe blackberry. There were nutty notes and oak detected as well. The finish is very very dry and its noticeable tannins are quite lengthy. This is a hearty wine that needs decanting before a big meal like beef stew if you want to consume it in the near term. Otherwise, this wine could also last from quite sometime in your cellar. It also goes very well with dark chocolate covered raisins. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: Sourced primarily from 8-10 year-old estate vines, Embruix (Catalan for "bewitching") de Vall Llach exhibits an enchanting crimson color with an amethyst halo. Full of mature fruit, dark minerals and sweet spices, including nutmeg and anise seed, this wine is complex and full-bodied.

Organic status: not organic