Introduction: Clos i Terrasses — the estate known to the world as Clos Erasmus — is the creation of Daphne Glorian, one of the five visionaries who effectively reinvented Priorat as a world-class wine region in 1989. Alongside René Barbier, Álvaro Palacios, Carles Pastrana, and José Luis Pérez, she pooled resources to produce a single wine under five different labels — and the modern Priorat was born. Laurel is the second wine of the estate, sourced from younger parcels across multiple sites in Gratallops, farmed organically and biodynamically. Calling it a "second wine" significantly undersells it — this is a wine of genuine complexity and ambition that simply draws from younger vines and receives a lighter hand in the cellar.

Terroir: Laurel is assembled from several distinct Gratallops parcels — Aubagues, Socarrats, Guinarderes, and Les Vaques — each contributing something different to the final blend. The soils throughout are the signature llicorella of Priorat: steep terraced slopes of black slate and quartz that drain rapidly, stress the vines into producing small, intensely concentrated berries, and imprint the wine with its unmistakable mineral tension. Vine ages range from five to 40 years, planted at high altitude on south and east-facing costers. The 2021 vintage was defined by the historic "Filomena" snowstorm that recharged the water table, followed by a cool, slow-ripening summer that produced wines of uncommon finesse and vibrating acidity for the region.

Appearance: Translucent, brilliant ruby with violet highlights — remarkably light and luminous for a Priorat, signaling the wine's cool-vintage character and Daphne's restrained approach to extraction.

Nose: Super aromatic, floral, and expressive — crushed violet, hibiscus, and orange blossom open the bouquet, giving way to sour cherry, wild blackberry, dried thyme, and a subtle animal, meaty quality from the Syrah component. As it breathes, balsamic herbs, black truffle, and a stony mineral quality emerge, adding layers of savory complexity.

Palate: Medium-to-full-bodied with a silky, seamless texture and ultra-fine chalky tannins that define the llicorella slate terroir. Electric, focused acidity — the hallmark of the 2021 vintage — drives the palate and carries red cherry, sour cherry, blackberry, and spice through to a long, mineral-driven finish. The soft vinification with short pump-overs deliberately avoided heavy extraction, and it shows — this is a Priorat of rare transparency and energy.

Finish: Exceptionally long, mineral, and clean, with lingering slate, spice, and savory herbs. The oak — 18 months in a combination of large vats, barrels, and amphora — is completely integrated, adding complexity without imposing wood character on the wine's natural freshness.

Food Pairings:
🥩 Meat: Roasted rack of lamb with herbs, duck confit with cherry reduction, or wood-grilled beef with romesco sauce
🥦 Vegetarian: Wild mushroom and truffle risotto, roasted root vegetables with aged Manchego, or a hearty Catalan escalivada
🧀Charcuterie Board: Aged Manchego, Idiazabal, Catalan fuet, black olive tapenade, and Medjool dates

Overall Impression: The 2021 Laurel is a genuinely thrilling wine — one of the more nuanced and elegant expressions in the estate's recent history, shaped by a cool vintage and a philosophy of restraint that is increasingly rare in this appellation. Drink now with an hour of decanting, or cellar with confidence through 2030 and beyond. Serve at 61–64°F.

Alcohol by Volume (ABV %): 14.0%
Farming Practices: Certified organic; biodynamic practices on select parcels; terraced costers (steep hillside terraces); no irrigation; hand-harvested
Producer Name: Clos i Terrasses / Clos Erasmus (Daphne Glorian)
Old World / New World: Old World
Country of Origin: Spain
Region: DOCa Priorat — Gratallops, Catalonia
Grape Varietals: Garnacha (Garnatxa) 80%, Syrah 11%, Cabernet Sauvignon 9%
Vintage: 2021
Wine Style: Dry Red — Medium-to-full-bodied, mineral-driven, and floral, with a restrained red fruit and slate-inflected Priorat profile shaped by younger llicorella vine parcels and a cool-climate vintage. More ethereal and aromatic than the estate's flagship; structured for aging but approachable with decanting now. 
Winemaking Techniques: Grapes cold-rested 24 hours before sorting and destemming; natural fermentation in vat; soft vinification with short pump-overs; fermentation 2–3 weeks followed by 4-week maceration; aged 18 months in a combination of large oak vats, second and third fill French oak barrels, and clay amphora; no fining or filtration 
Pack Size: 750ml
Container Style: Glass bottle
Closure Style: Cork