Albert Costa from Vall Llach was present at our tasting this weekend.
And we were glad to see him!
As you may know (or not), the estate was hit by a snowstorm in 2021, causing the roof of the vinification cellar to collapse.
As a result, part of the 2021 harvest was lost, and there were not enough technical resources available to produce sufficient quantities in 2022. But in 2023, it’s back!
And this is what we had all been waiting for: the return of Embruix, the “baby” of Vall Llach. Quite simply their best value for money.
For less than 30 euros, you get the essence of the “new” Priorat of the 1990s: delicious Garnatxa and Carinyena, complemented by international varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. In their top wines, only Garnatxa and Carinyena are now used, but the plantings from the 1990s still have their place.
And that is exactly what makes Embruix a no-nonsense wine that drinks very easily, while still showing that typical Priorat character.
It was also very popular at our tasting last weekend, partly because Albert, the owner, explains the region and the wines in a very clear and engaging way.
Moreover, Vall Llach is not only a wine project, but also a social project supporting the local economy of Porrera. Co-owner Lluis Llach, the “Bob Dylan” of Catalonia, attaches great importance to this.
For several years now, they have also been working
biodynamically in the vineyards, which further enhances the quality of the wines.