PV Tasting Notes
The S'Alou is a proprietary blend, and selected only from the best barrels of each varietal, aged 16 months in French Oak then 2 years in bottle before release. Dark ruby with some purple highlights it displays a very clean nose of blackberry, blueberry, black cherry and a bitter cocoa note. The palate is very ripe with full soft fruit and almost hidden fine tannins, beautifully balanced, when I tasted this for the first time, I thought "ooh, I like this". Can be enjoyed now but my impression is this will get even better with a few more years bottle age and drink well through 2025. Given that a mere 160 cases were produced, this is a wine for the collectors to stash away for a few years, and having recently visited the winery and tasted what they have coming through for 2005, 6 and 7 vintages all of which are in small quantities, my impression is the profile of this winery is on the up. Tasted Sept 2007.
Independent Review91 points Robert Parkers Wine Advocate, Feb 2008
The 2004 S’Alou is a blend of Garnacha, Carinena, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah aged in French oak for 16 months. Dark ruby/purple, it reveals a complex nose of toasty oak, spice box, mineral, blue and black fruits, and a hint of chocolate. Fat and forward on the palate, this fleshy effort neatly conceals some silky tannin. It is plush, ripe, and well-balanced with 2-3 years of aging potential. This hedonistic effort should provide much pleasure through 2020.
This beautiful Cabernet blend is best with Rack or Saddle of Lamb, will also suit very well Roast Leg of Lamb, Shoulder or Fillet of Beef, Sautéed calf’s liver, Partridge or Grouse, fried sweetbreads or Kidneys with a rich sauce e.g. bearnaise, will also suit roast ribs of Beef or grilled Rump.
The vineyard dates from the 17th Century and is located at Can Battle near Cantallops, the most northerly village in the Interior of Catalonia, sheltered by the Albera Mountains, the land rises and gently falls in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Vines are between 10 and 70 years old with an average age of thirty years. With some 95% of the production given over to the traditional grape styles of the region, and small amount of more modern styles, Cabernet, Syrah and Merlot have been introduced to in the last 15 years. The earth around this region is made up of granite and shale, very suitable for the production of quality grapes. Production is small, only 3,000 cases per year across seven different wines, all are unique and flavoursome.