"You can’t describe Clos Erasmus in any other way than as a luxury wine, yet a close look at the aromatic and flavour detail of this blend of 70% Grenache with 30% Syrah... shows just what a Priorat thoroughbred it is." — Decanter Magazine
Clos i Terrasses, colloquially known as Clos Erasmus, hails from Spain's rugged Priorat, helping to bring the region to universal acclaim. The estate was founded by Swiss-French winemaker Daphne Glorian with the help of Priorat revolutionaries Alvaro Palacios, René Barbier, Carles Pastrana, and Josep Lluís Pérez. Its wines are beautifully perfumed and richly structured, becoming one of the world's most sought-after Grenache-Syrah blends.
Clos Erasmus: "Garagiste" Origins
Clos Erasmus was established in 1988 by Daphne Glorian after the young winemaker purchased 17 hectares of land in the then-unknown Priorat. Glorian developed a close friendship with Alvaro Palacios and René Barbier of Clos Mogador, who each urged Glorian to develop a wine estate. The inaugural 1989 vintage was produced in Barbier's cellars and was a representation of the five acclaimed Priorat wineries: Clos Mogador, Clos Dofi, Clos Martinet, Clos de l'Obac, and Clos Erasmus.
Soon enough, Clos Erasmus gained enough attention that all cases were purchased by Eric Solomon, the owner of American wine importer European Cellars. By the end of the 90s, Solomon and Glorian married, taking over the entire winemaking process from Palacios and Barbier, and eventually hiring the renowned oenologist, Ester Nin. Shortly after joining, Clos Erasmus became one of the first Spanish wines to receive a 100-point score from Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, with critic Jay S. Miller describing the 2004 vintage, "Think of your wildest fantasy coming true and you may be able to conjure up the pleasure this wine delivers."
Today, the estate produces nearly 3,000 bottles of Clos Erasmus and 1,500 bottles of the standout second label, Clos Erasmus Laurel.
Daphne Glorian: Renowned Spanish Winemaking
Daphne Glorian is the founder and head winemaker of Clos Erasmus, opening the estate after a trip to Priorat in 1988. Glorian held no formal winemaking experience and was studying to become a lawyer at the University of Paris yet took a position as the Office Manager for Kit Stevens MW. What started as a job to support her studies became a passion; Daphne Glorian soon began helping Stevens in selecting wines for his Burgundy clientele, falling in love with the region's elegant Pinot Noirs. Here, Glorian met Alvaro Palacios, René Barbier, Carles Pastrana, and Josep Lluis.
A short trip to Priorat then convinced Glorian to use her life savings to purchase the small Escales vineyard in the village of Gratallops. The land proved exceptional for old Grenache vines, and after enough trial-and-error, Daphne Glorian masterfully navigated the terroir to become one of Spain's most talented winemakers.
Clos Erasmus Priorat: Terroir and Vineyard
Clos Erasmus contains nearly 17 hectares of land in Spain's Priorat region, holding seven vineyards across the territory. Its vineyards include: Escales, Socarrats, Aubagues, Solanes, Guinarderes, Les Manyetes, and Les Vaques.
Escales was the first vineyard acquisition by Daphne Glorian, a 1.7-hectare site that stretched along a steep slope of 17 terraces. The vineyard was originally planted with Grenache but now contains Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Only 6-9 hectoliters per hectare are produced, adding a delicately perfumed character to the final blend.
Socarrats is the largest of Clos Erasmus' vineyards and is a warmer site that is mostly planted with Grenache, with few Syrah vines on the site. The eldest vines are reserved for Clos Erasmus, contributing a darker fruit character to the final blend and backbone of the tannins.
Aubagues is a small 2.7-hectare vineyard that provides a unique richness and texture to Clos Erasmus. Fruit from this site is fermented separately in native yeasts, a distinctive process in the Clos Erasmus vinification process.
Clos i Terrasses: Wine Portfolio
Clos i Terrasses produces two main labels in its portfolio, Clos Erasmus and Clos Erasmus Laurel. Both wines are grown from the same vineyards, with Laurel produced with lots that do not make the flagship wine. Each blend has been heralded as Spanish wine excellence, with many critics believing Clos Erasmus Laurel is strong enough to contend with rivalling flagship wines.
Clos Erasmus
Clos Erasmus is blend of Grenache and Syrah, with the former comprising ~70% of the final blend. The label was named after the Dutch Renaissance theologian, Desiderius Erasmus, who was a big influence on Daphne Glorian.
"There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other" — Desiderius Erasmus
Clos Erasmus has been described as a delicate, floral blend with great purity, complexity, and finesse. Daphne has compared the Grenache as "the Pinot Noir of the South," and has stated that the Syrah adds spice and complexity to the final cuvée.
Top vintages of Clos Erasmus include 2004, 2005, 2013, and 2020, all of which have received 100-point scores from The Wine Advocate.
Clos Erasmus Laurel
Clos Erasmus Laurel is crafted from fruit not used in the final blend of the flagship Clos Erasmus, alongside younger fruit from the same vineyards. Furthermore, the blend sees Cabernet Sauvignon added to the mix, with a final composition averaging 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
The wine is aged in large oak vats, concrete tanks, and clay amphorae depending on the vineyard allocation. Once aged, Clos Erasmus Laurel displays ethereal and aromatic complexity, a light ruby color, and a red and black fruit character.
Secure Your Bottle of Clos Erasmus Wine
Clos Erasmus has grown to become one of Spain's greatest wines of the 21st century, perfect for Grenache lovers and Bordeaux drinkers looking to expand their palates. Each bottle in our stock is competitively priced and ready to ship upon purchase. Browse through our selection of in-stock Clos Erasmus wines and secure your bottle today.
