Perinet Merit Priorat

Perinet Merit Priorat is a multi-varietal red blend from Spain's DOQ Priorat, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This expression earned a Double Gold medal at the 2019 San Francisco International Wine Competition and 92 points from both Wine Enthusiast and James Suckling, establishing it as a serious overperformer in one of Spain's most prestigious appellations.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5% (varies by vintage)  |  Origin: DOQ Priorat, Spain  |  Multi-Varietal Red Blend  |  Producer: Perinet Winery

Production & Heritage

Perinet Winery is located in La Morera de Montsant within the DOQ Priorat, a region defined by its llicorella — ancient soils composed of slate and quartz that impart a distinctive minerality to wines grown there. The Merit blend changes from vintage to vintage, typically drawing from Syrah, Garnacha, Carinyena (Carignan), Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon in varying proportions to express the character of each harvest. The fruit is half destemmed and half whole cluster, then cold-soaked for two to five days before undergoing carbonic maceration in stainless steel tanks, with total maceration lasting up to twenty days. Aging takes place for twelve months on the lees in a combination of stainless steel tank and second-use French oak barrels, and the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered — a deliberate choice to preserve the raw, terroir-driven character of the llicorella soils.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with deep black cherry and Mission fig, followed by clove, dried herbs, and a subtle undercurrent of forest floor. A thread of slate minerality and ink anchors the aromatics, with faint violet and sandalwood emerging as the wine opens up.

Taste: The palate entry is bold and fruit-forward, with cassis and black plum leading into a silky mid-palate laced with fennel frond, dried thyme, and lavender. Polished tannins frame the structure without aggressiveness, while a persistent schisty minerality — characteristic of Priorat — keeps the wine taut and focused. Wild berry and balsamic undertones add complexity through the mid-palate.

Finish: The finish is medium-long with steady power, carrying soft floral and herb notes alongside a lick of licorice. Lingering acidity and fine-grained tannins leave a clean, mineral-streaked conclusion.

How to Drink Perinet Merit

Serve at 60–65°F (16–18°C) after decanting for 30 to 45 minutes; the wine's density rewards the extra air, which opens up its herbal and mineral layers without blunting the fruit. Perinet Merit is built for the table — its polished tannins and bright acidity make it a natural companion to grilled lamb chops with rosemary, slow-braised short ribs with root vegetables, or aged Manchego and quince paste. The wine's dark fruit and minerality also stand up well to hearty mushroom risotto or charcoal-grilled eggplant with romesco sauce.

Best For

• Introducing a curious wine drinker to the slate-driven character of DOQ Priorat
• Pairing with a weekend dinner of grilled red meat or slow-cooked stews
• Gifting a Spanish wine enthusiast an award-winning, terroir-expressive bottle
• Building a cellar with value-driven wines from top-tier Spanish appellations

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Perinet Merit taste like? Perinet Merit delivers bold black cherry, cassis, and plum flavors framed by polished tannins and a persistent slate minerality that is hallmark Priorat. Dried herbs, lavender, and a touch of licorice add complexity through the mid-palate and finish.

How does Perinet Merit compare to Alvaro Palacios Camins del Priorat? Both wines serve as accessible entry points to DOQ Priorat, though Perinet Merit relies more heavily on Syrah and whole-cluster carbonic maceration, which gives it a distinctive fruit-forward aromatic profile alongside its mineral core. Camins del Priorat leans on a Garnacha-dominant blend and tends toward a more classically structured Priorat style.

Is Perinet Merit good for sipping on its own? Yes — the combination of ripe dark fruit, layered herbal notes, and fine tannins makes it rewarding on its own, especially after a brief decant to let the mineral and floral elements emerge fully.

Where is Perinet Merit made? Perinet Merit is produced by Perinet Winery in La Morera de Montsant, within Spain's DOQ Priorat, a small and highly regulated appellation in Catalonia known for its ancient llicorella (slate and quartz) soils.

What foods pair well with Perinet Merit? Grilled lamb seasoned with rosemary complements the wine's herbal undertones. Slow-braised short ribs match its dark fruit weight. Aged Manchego cheese echoes the wine's density and structure. Charcoal-grilled vegetables with romesco sauce mirror its smoky minerality. Mushroom risotto highlights the earthy, forest-floor dimension of the nose.

What sizes does Perinet Merit come in? Perinet Merit is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Perinet Merit worth the price? Perinet Merit positions as a value-tier DOQ Priorat — a region where quality wines typically start at significantly higher price points — making it one of the more accessible entries into this prestigious appellation, backed by a Double Gold medal and 92-point critical scores.

Why Perinet Merit?

DOQ Priorat remains one of Spain's most elite wine regions, and finding an expression at this quality level without a steep price premium is unusual. The Double Gold medal at the 2019 San Francisco International Wine Competition and concurrent 92-point scores from Wine Enthusiast and James Suckling confirm that this blend punches well above its weight class. The winery's decision to bottle unfined and unfiltered, combined with vintage-variable blending from llicorella-rooted vines, gives each release a raw, site-specific authenticity that more polished commercial Priorats often smooth away. For anyone seeking genuine Priorat minerality and structure without the typical entry cost of the appellation, Perinet Merit is a serious contender.