Finca Dofí

Greek mythology says that King Mida had the gift of turning everything he touched into gold. And if Alvaro Palacios is known for one thing, it is for turning a neglected wine region into one of the most sought-after in the world. In 1989 together with Josep Lluís Pérez, Carles Pastrana and René Barbier, he arrived in a poor and forgotten Priorat. At that time there were only four wineries making wines in bulk characterised by their high alcohol content, they were very rustic and not very elegant and cost no more than 100 pesetas a litre (less than 1 euro). Palacios and company fell in love with the place and especially with its licorella soil, which is so difficult to work and gives such a low yield. Armed with courage and patience, ten years later they achieved what no one had ever imagined. Wines like L'Ermita (one of Palacios’ flagship wines) were auctioned in New York for 68,000 pesetas (about 400 euros).

Finca Dofí, known as the little brother of the famous L'Ermita, comes from a single 10-hectare vineyard located in the village of Gratallops (Tarragona) lying at 300 metres above sea level. These are mostly Garnacha vines planted on the characteristic licorella soil of the D.O.Q. Priorat and cultivated using respectful agriculture. Once harvested and selected by hand, the grapes are destemmed and crushed in the winery to begin fermentation with native yeasts in oak barrels. The wine is then fermented for 19 months in large oak barrels.

With Finca Dofí, the “Midas of Priorat”, presents us with one of his great wines. An expressive, complex and elegant wine that perfectly demonstrates why Palacios is one of the most important winemakers on the contemporary Spanish wine scene.