ESR0197
HK$430.00
Vintage 2016
Robert Parker: 94
Tim Atkin: 94
Hudin: 92
James Suckling: 91
Jancis Robinson: 17+
Castell d'Encus位於西班牙加泰隆尼亞，比利牛斯山脈分區的Costers del Segre產區，Raul Bobet曾在大名鼎鼎的Torres酒莊擔任主釀酒師，釀酒期間受到啓發，期望可以不受全球温室效應影响下繼續釀出心中最完美的酒。其後Raul Bobet於海拔1,000米高的Talarn村開始他的釀酒大計，無意中發現酒莊旁修道院竟然仍保留了僧侶曾在這裡釀酒的痕跡，包括多個12世紀時以人手開鑿的石窖，自然而然便還原古法釀造方法，起初只用少量葡萄作試驗，後來大部分葡萄也用這石窖發酵，然後再到不銹鋼桶或橡木桶陳年。
這數十年來能釀出令飲家驚嘆的葡萄酒全因Raul的不斷努力和精益求精，他年青時是工程學科出身的的，所以他亦設計了可再生能源(地熱能發電)推動整個酒莊的電力，非常環保。另外Raul 喜愛哲學和冥想，他的產品皆以梵文或以葡萄生長的地方命名。他的理念很簡單 :
"我們希望釀造出風格非常清晰的葡萄酒，以保持新鮮度為支柱，避免過度成熟和過度萃取。 我們追求優雅和微妙，但又不放棄葡萄酒的複雜性和圓潤感。 毫無疑問，從這個意義上說，葡萄發揮主要作用。"
他的理念看似簡單，但實際操作上卻需要在葡萄種植和釀造過程等細節上花上無比的心思和管理能力，幕後亦有著熟練的團隊協助，才可以在不可預料的天氣下仍能釀出喝一口便令人感動的酒。
Castell d'Encus 毫無疑問是近來世界舞台上最令人振奮的西班牙酒莊。而Raul Bobet亦是有份負責Ferrer Bobet酒莊的人，在那裡他與葡萄酒發燒友Sergi Ferrer-Salat合作，展現出另一高山Priorat酒的獨特風味。
此酒因為沒有經過淨化，所以會出現沉澱物。而因為沒有二氧化硫，所以應保存在清涼地方避免不必要演化。酒內酸度令此酒比一般自然葡萄有更強陳年能力，只需把酒保存於適當的條件和溫度下。
Raul Bobet又一傑作，堅持常做一支具風土和深度的波爾多Blend，Quest是”每天也在疑問自己”，是一套哲學思想，從不斷問為什麼而令自己更接近事物本質和真理，這是Raul挑戰自己的作品。石窖發酵，原生酵母，地心吸力引酒，層次變化多端，具深度，口感非常整合。
產地：
西班牙-加泰羅尼亞
種類：
紅葡萄酒
葡萄品種：
Bordeaux blend - Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot
釀造：人手收割，以 10kg 的小盒盛載，所有葡萄皆是來自酒莊之內。此酒由不同器皿發酵，包括石窖、木桶。
品酒筆記：
2011年 (Robert Parker's rating: 91 points)
帶草味、蔬菜、覆盆子葉、意大利黑椒、焗製香料、煙燻肉加一點剛熟的紅果與黑果。味道方面，中度酒體，卻沒有常見像粒狀般的單寧，易入口，是一款產於大西洋山脈的出色紅酒。
2016年 (Robert Parker's rating: 94 points)
2016年的Quest是Cabernet Sauvignon、Cabernet Franc 及 Petit Verdot的混釀。在12 世紀的石窖中用野生酵母發酵，然後在新橡木桶中長期陳釀24 個月，在大木桶(foudre)中陳年5個月，再加上瓶中陳年12個月。它和諧、平衡、乾淨，混合了芳香的香草、莓果的味道，以及胡椒和香料的風味。口感中等至飽滿，單寧細膩，酸度極佳，充滿活力，餘韻悠長。裝了8,200瓶和 120大瓶(1.5升)。
Raul Bobet’s groundbreaking wines from the Pyrenees subzone of the Costers del Segre appellation, are produced in the village of Talarn at 1,000 meters altitude. The wines are named with Sanskrit words or after the places where grapes are grown. Nowadays most of the wines are fermented in the 12th century stone lagares from the property. It has to be seen to be believed. However, the process is not the most important thing, what is really important is that the results are superb. These are some of the most exciting new wines throughout Spain. And Bobet, the ex-Torres enquiring mind, is also responsible for the breathtaking Priorats from the Ferrer-Bobet winery, his joint venture with entrepreneur and wine lover Sergi Ferrer-Salat.
Country of Origin:
Spain / Catalonia
Type:
Red/Rouge (Still)
Grape Varieties:
Bordeaux blend - Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot
Vinification:
Manual harvest in small 10 kg cases and grapes coming exclusively from the property. The wine has been fermented in different materials (rock fermenters, Wood barrels). 100% of the wine went under malolactic fermentation.
Tasting Notes:
2011 Vintage (Robert Parker's rating: 91 points)
The nose is dominated by grassy, herbaceous notes of raspberry leaves, Italian pepper, baking spices, earth, hints of smoked meat and a core of terse, just ripe red and black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied, without the grainy tannins so common in these type of blends, with a buttery texture which makes it deceivably easy to drink. A great Atlantic, mountain red.
2016 Vintage (Robert Parker's rating: 94 points)
The 2016 Quest, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, fermented entirely in their 12th century stone lagares with indigenous yeasts followed by a long élevage of 24 months in new barrique and five months in foudre plus 12 more months in bottle. This is anything except rustic: it's harmonious, balanced and clean, with a mixture of aromatic herbs and berries with a peppery and spicy touch. The palate is medium to full-bodied with very fine tannins and great acidity that provides for a vibrant mouthfeel and a long, tasty finish. 8,200 bottles and 120 magnums.
