Wine Advocate (100)

The new bottling of the NV Reliquia Palo Cortado comes in a small bottle with a handmade and different label every year (so, each year the Palo Cortado is different in style and all the labels in that bottling are slightly different, as they are painted by hand by the artist, but in the same style). These are wines that, unless something very strange happens, are not going to show any differences, because the rotation of wine in the bottles is really small, as they all have their soleras and criaderas because of how the system is managed, especially in the case of the Palo Cortado, which is the more abundant of these Reliquia wines. In any case, these wines can get more concentrated and powerful, but they are already so concentrated and powerful that it is difficult to notice any differences. This wine will outlive us all. Only 80 half bottles are available yearly for the whole world.

Vinous (94)

Glass-staining ruby. A highly complex bouquet features ripe red berry, cherry liqueur, cured tobacco and mocha scents, and a smoky mineral nuance and a hint of white pepper add urgency. Sweet, mineral-driven blackberry, cherry-vanilla, chewing tobacco and candied rose flavors show impressive depth as well as energy. Blends power and finesse with a steady hand and finishes chewy, sweet and impressively long, with youthfully gripping tannins adding framework.

Exhibiting the sophistication of fine wine, the Mas Gil Emporda Clos Agon 2004 is a stunning product of Spain's Emporda region. This esteemed winery, owned by the Gil family since 1998, is nestled in the Verdera mountain foothills. The Emporda Clos Agon 2004, with its elegant intensity and complex character, speaks of a meticulously monitored wine-making process.

Crafted from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Grenache, it matures in a French oak ensemble that releases mouth-watering notes of ripe dark fruits, crowned by a hint of spiciness. Aged for two decades, the Mas Gil Emporda Clos Agon 2004 is now gracefully mature, boasting a resilient ruby colour and tannins that have mellowed over time.

This wine is testimony to Mas Gil's dedication to preserving the locality's wine-making heritage, providing an elegant taste of Emporda. Relax in its velvety embrace as you savour the rich, layered palate, that amplifies the splendour of the Mas Gil Emporda Clos Agon 2004.

Vinous (95+)

(a blend of 70% tempranillo and 30% graciano, from the estates best old vines; aged 18 months in new French Troncais barrels) Superripe aromas of blackberry, currant, minerals and sexy oak. Offers great sappy concentration, with black fruit flavors complicated by pie spices. The wine's sheer thickness of texture is leavened by harmonious acidity, giving it great finesse for a wine of this magnitude. Huge mounting finish features thoroughly ripe, noble tannins and penetrating berry and spice notes. (Fine Estates From Spain, Dedham MA

Vinous (90)

Good medium ruby. Explosive aromas of black cherry, roasted tomato, olive, game and nutty oak. Sweet, lush and gamey; a bit less densely packed than the young 2001 but still stuffed with fruit. Shows a syrah-like animal aspect.

Wine Advocate (96-98)

A prodigious effort, the 2001 Tirant is a 9,000-bottle cuvee made from 30% Grenache (90-100 years old), 25% Carignan (90-100 years old), 25% young vine Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah, and 10% Merlot. Fermented in large oak foudres and aged 12 months in new French oak, it will be bottled with neither fining nor filtration. Inky/purple-colored to the rim, it boasts a spectacular bouquet of blueberries, blackberries, and the region’s classic crushed stone minerality. This full-throttle yet remarkably elegant 2001 possesses tremendous intensity and texture as well as layers of flavor, but comes across as not over the top, overripe, or overly heavy. The 60-second finish reveals more noticeable tannin than the other cuvees. Give it 1-2 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 10-15. The 2001 Tirant is indeed a special wine.

Wine Advocate (97-98)

The oldest of the sweet wines I tried this time was the 1958 Don PX Convento Selección, a very complex and nuanced wine with notes of charred wood, tar, coal, bitter dark chocolate, licorice, roasted coffee beans and aromatic herbs. The palate is compact with no fissures and a bitterness that compensates the sweetness (it has 350 grams of sugar, so it's not a surprise that it doesn't feel as sweet as others). It's relatively dense, complex, rare and unique. They expect to produce 14,200 bottles of this elixir.

An exquisite example of Catalan viticulture, the Torres Mas de la Rosa 2019 is a gem from Spain's renowned Torres winery. This Priorat red captures the essence of the region's licorella soil, yielding a complex and commanding wine. Crafted using the artisanal Carthusian method, it's entirely handmade from the vine to the cellar. Handpicked from century-old Grenache and Carignan vines, planted in steep slopes at an altitude of 400 metres, this mixture delivers an elegant bouquet.

The nose of the Torres Mas de la Rosa 2019 provides an array of dark berries, adorned with subtle notes of Mediterranean herbs and minerals. The palate is truly rich and audacious with a harmonious balance of ripe tannins and vibrant acidity, leading to a profound and lingering finish. A genuine expression of the producer’s commitment to tradition and quality makes it a must in a true connoisseur’s collection.