Vintus

Ferrer Bobet received a series of stunning accolades in Robert Parker’s just-released issue of the Wine Advocate. Spanish critic Jay Miller tasted three different vintages of the two Priorat wines – 2007, 2008 and 2009 – giving each a progressively high rating.

• 2007 Priorat: 94 points
• 2008 Priorat: 96 points
• 2009 Priorat: 95-98 points
• 2007 Seleccio Especial: 95 points
• 2008 Seleccio Especial: 97 points

In his excerpt on the winery, Miller declared Ferrer/Bobet the future showplace of Priorat. “No expense has been spared in the construction of a magnificent winery and in the planting of the vineyards. Sergi Ferrer-Salat is a young pharmaceutical tycoon with apparently a much greater interest in fine wine than drugs, while his partner Raul Bobet was the long-time winemaker at Torres. Ferrer-Salat makes it clear that his goal is to make the greatest wine possible without regard to whether he makes money. I’m not sure if Bobet would totally agree, but it appears that he is up for the challenge.”

In a exclusive tasting of Spain’s best wines from Priorat, the Catalan term for Priorato, Eric Asimov and Florence Fabricant of The New York Times discussed the high hills of Catalonia that are finally being recognized for producing powerful, seductive and still balanced expressions of terroir.

“‘These wines are big, and they’re strong, but they seduce,’” Victoria Levin of NYC’s Tangled Vine said in the article. “‘You taste it, you feel it, you want to touch it. It’s very visceral to me.’”

Among the wines tasted was the 2006 Ferrer Bobet. “Big, powerful and concentrated with smooth black fruit flavors,” the wine earned 2.5 out of 3 stars.

Read the entire story here.

The 2007 releases from Ferrer Bobet dominated Wine & Spirits magazine’s recent coverage of Priorat, with the 2007 Selecció Especial earning 94 points, the highest score awarded! This is tremendous recognition for only the third vintage released by this breakout star. Even more impressive, the well-priced 2007 Priorat walked away with 92 points, making it one of the best values coming out of Spain.

Ferrer Bobet Selecció Especial 2007
“Made from a selection of old-vine carignan, this is disguised as an international style of Priorat when first poured, with scents of new oak and sweet fruit. But give it a few hours in the glass and it changes radically, revealing intense ripe cherry flavors along with a pointed acidity that accompanies the fruit from start to finish. The tannic structure is both light and firm, like a spider web made of steel thread.” 94 Wine & Spirits

Ferrer Bobet Priorat 2007
“There’s an internal debate going on between this wine’s warmth of alcohol and the juiciness of its ripe fruit. A blend of carignan and garnacha, it resolves into gracious depths of sweet flavors, melting into a texture as creamy as a cappuccino. For lamb chops.” 92 Wine & Spirits

Well-known Spanish wine critic Juan Fernández-Cuesta recently published the 2011 ABC Guide, which focuses on high-end wines that cost less than €30. Not surprisingly, Ferrer-Bobet tops the list for Priorat with a score of 93 points.

“If are looking for all the characteristics of a Priorat in one glass of wine, but sublimely combined and accessible to everyone, then you should buy this wine. A good price, abundant fruit, mineral and balsamic notes, high quality oak, all brought together by excellent winemaking. Powerful, rich, elegant. 15 months barrel aging. Grape varieties: carignan (61%), grenache noir (37%) and cabernet sauvignon. 93″

As though creating one of the hottest properties in Priorat weren’t enough, the Wall Street Journal’s Wine Blog points to Sergi Ferrer’s wine temple, Monvínic, as the world’s best wine bar:

“Despite my best efforts, I haven’t been to every wine bar in the world, so it may be that there are other contenders to the throne, but Monvínic in Barcelona is certainly the best wine bar I’ve been to in recent memory.  When the sommelier at El Bulli tells you you can’t miss it, you would be foolish not to act on the advice.

“I’m only sorry I didn’t check out Monvínic till my last night in Barcelona, but it’s definitely one more reason to return.”

Read more about the design and special offerings of Monvínic here.

Steven Spurrier names the 2005 Ferrer-Bobet his “Best Old-World Red” this month in his Decanter column. Says Spurrier:

“From one of Priorat’s coolest and steepest vineyards, the 53% Carignan and 35% Grenache are more than 100 years old (Syrah and Cabernet complete the mix). Fine, earthy nose with wild berry fruits, warm and rich with integrated oak. Complex.”

A stunning score for the just-released Ferrer-Bobet 2006, 93 points from the Wine Spectator. That makes it the second-highest scoring Priorat of the 2006 vintage! An amazing result for partners Sergi Ferrer and Raül Bobet, following on the heels of their terrific reviews in the Wine Advocate.

Ferrer-Bobet 2006, Priorat
“There’s depth and intensity to the black cherry, pomegranate and dark chocolate flavors in this focused red, which remains graceful and harmonious, with well-integrated tannins and a vibrant finish that’s fresh and complex.” 93 Wine Spectator

The April issue of Food & Wine features Monvínic, Sergi Ferrer’s Barcelona wine bar, among it’s “5 Best Wine Bars For Pairing Practice“. And what goes well with the rich, mineral-laced Carignan of Ferrer-Bobet 2006? We’re partial to a savory plate of barbecued ribs.