Way back in 1997, Christopher Cannan, the founder of Europvin (based in Bordeaux), acquired Clos Figueras with his wife Charlotte. The estate consists of 18 acres in the heart of Priorat, due north of Gratallops. A few years earlier, several meetings with Alvaro Palacios and Rene Barbier, pioneers of the then-fledgling appellation, gave Mr. Cannan an opportunity to realize the immense potential lying in the soils of Priorat.

Under the supervision of Alain Graillot, Clos Figueras produces four Priorats, three of them red. Their top wine, Clos Figueras, is produced from the property’s oldest vines. It is characterized by its elegance and finesse, and it would be a mistake to overlook its aging potential. Font de la Figuera, and Serras del Priorat, both from younger vines, provide an interesting introduction to Priorat, at reasonable prices given such high levels of quality.