Ferrer Selecció Especial 2017 (97 WA)

“The top of the range, the 2017 Selecció Especial is pure Cariñena from centenary vines on a “coster” (slope) of llicorella slate in the village of Porrera. The wine matured in 225-liter French oak barrels for 19 months and is going to be kept in bottle for a couple of years, as it won’t be released until late 2021. This has higher alcohol and higher acidity than the other 2017s, and the balance is in a different point. This is a powerful Cariñena with a strong Priorat character. The tannins are fine-grained, and the wine is seamless and textured, with a strong mineral sensation (again, a texture), finishing with a salty twist. This is superb, the finest vintage I have tasted of this wine.”