by Patrick Ogle
Puig Priorat's Vinedos de Ithaca Odysseus 2009 garnatxa blanca is from a region mostly known for its reds. This, however, is a white wine you can refer to as "substantial." It has body and oak to it (the oak is not overwhelming). There is a hint of fruit. I first thought lemon but citrus isn't quite right here. Perhaps some sort of white plum or something with a barely perceptible hint of tartness.
I kept thinking--is it a persimmon? A white plum? Possibly white raspberry? I gave up on the conjecture and drank some more wine.
It has a nice acidity, high alcohol (over 14 percent) and has hints of vanilla. Vanilla is a common flavor for wines that have been aged in new oak barrels. The wood makes this wine what it is. (aged how long)
Puig Priorat's Vinedos de Ithaca Odysseus 2009 garnatxa blanca is from a region mostly known for its reds. This, however, is a white wine you can refer to as "substantial." It has body and oak to it (the oak is not overwhelming). There is a hint of fruit. I first thought lemon but citrus isn't quite right here. Perhaps some sort of white plum or something with a barely perceptible hint of tartness.
I kept thinking--is it a persimmon? A white plum? Possibly white raspberry? I gave up on the conjecture and drank some more wine.
It has a nice acidity, high alcohol (over 14 percent) and has hints of vanilla. Vanilla is a common flavor for wines that have been aged in new oak barrels. The wood makes this wine what it is. (aged how long)
Joseph and Silvia Puig are a father and daughter wine making team apparently infatuated with Greek mythology--so much so they name their wines after heroes. There are a number of different wines named Akyles, Penelope and, obviously, Odysseus.
Unusually they have a number of white wines; these are made from garnacha blanca and pedro ximinez. The reason whites are unusual for a Priorat winemaker is that 96 percent or more of the grapes grown there are red. While their pedro ximinez is a solid wine it is this one that will really stick with you.
Priorat produces some of the greatest wines in Spain. It is a wine region with a rather severe landscape and temperature. Grapes really have to work at it and yields are low. Low yields often mean great wines.
Puig's red blends, by the way, are spectacular, especially the Odysseus.
Unusually they have a number of white wines; these are made from garnacha blanca and pedro ximinez. The reason whites are unusual for a Priorat winemaker is that 96 percent or more of the grapes grown there are red. While their pedro ximinez is a solid wine it is this one that will really stick with you.
Priorat produces some of the greatest wines in Spain. It is a wine region with a rather severe landscape and temperature. Grapes really have to work at it and yields are low. Low yields often mean great wines.
Puig's red blends, by the way, are spectacular, especially the Odysseus.
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