<table align="right" valign="top"><tr><td><img src="http://www.wineloverspage.com/forum/village/userpix/70_Sola_Classic_Priorat_1.jpg" border="1" align="left"></td></tr></table>There was definitely a bit of ugly-duckling syndrome happening here, and all in all I'm not quite sure what to think of the wine. Purchased for almost $25 at Vintages, the wine was opened yesterday to reveal a full-length, high-quality cork with staining but no evidence at all of any seepage or any other damage. The wine, when first poured, though, seemed somewhat off: it was quite "gassy" (almost like nitrous oxide) and was a bit hazy in the glass. The aromas were not especially inviting, just gassy and briney. On the palate, the wine showed quite a bit of residual sugar and alcoholic heat but also some muscular tannins. I figured I'd leave it to aerate overnight.
On day two, the ugly duckling did look prettier. The 14% alcohol still betrayed its heat and the tannins were still strong (that's a good thing), but the nasty gassiness had mostly dissipated. I still didn't think much of the nose which still seemed strange with its briney/brown-sugar character, although it now showed subtle oak spice that wasn't evident right after opening. The sweetness, however, was still very much there and I can't say I liked it. Overall, the wine went alright with the grilled beefsteak that I made for supper, but I frankly think I would have preferred something with more overt fruit - an Aussie Cab or a Cali Zin, for instance. (My first pick was a Pinotage but Vintages doesn't have any at the moment. I passed up a Graham Beck Shiraz in favour of this Priorat.)
I tried to read up on this producer, but the webpage is very rudimentary and I couldn't get too much info. The back label on this wine states that the vines are 40 years old; the wine is a blend of Grenache and Carmenere.
Overall, it tasted like somewhat of a dud to me. I can't rule out that it was an off bottle . . . though I admit to being a Priorat novice and don't have much of a gauge to consult.