The sun is shining, the green haze has lifted from the air, and the grill is calling my name! I couldn’t think of a better was to kick off the season than one the best deals on one of my favorite styles of barbecue wine than this!

Bon Mas Priorat 2018

Sale $14.99 - Beats Best US Price Online

Buy Six or More pay $13.99 a bottle!

91 pts Wine Enthusiast

Let’s get in a little history lesson before we drill down on the wine itself- Just a quick one, I promise! Priorat refers to original vitners of the region, the church-owned priories that made wine in addition to their various sacraments. However, as was common during late 18th/early 19th century Europe, revolutions would often result in the confiscation and sale or distribution of Church lands and would see the priory lands wind up in the hands of private citizens. Priorat would transition from Priories into Masias, similar to the French Chateau system. “Bon Mas” actually just translates to “Nice House”!

Priorat has skyrocketed in popularity thanks to modern winemakers understanding of how to work with it’s challenging, rocky soil to produce bold, innovative wines loaded to the brim with deep fruit flavor. In this, the Bon Mas is true to form, with spicy cherry and juicy blueberry flavors enhanced by the trademark minerality of a top tier Priorat. It’s beautifully balanced, and compelling while not being off-puttingly cerebral.

And dang if this wine isn’t food friendly! Red meat is a gimme, but don’t discount some grilled portabella mushrooms or glazed eggplant. Personally, I’m planning to cracking some of these open with some grilled short ribs. Click the picture for a recipe courtesy of the inimitable J. Kenji Lopez Alt!

“Cheesy vanilla oak aromas sit atop earthy plum, cherry and prune scents, while this feels both tight and fleshy, but inexact. Black cherry, baked plum, prune and chocolate flavors finish with a raisiny hint of dried black fruits. Drink through 2023.” - WE


Or reply. The wine is available Thursday in Chapel Hill. Friday, as ordered, in Hillsborough.