⭐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的 Costers del Segre 產區，由前 Torres 酒莊首席釀酒師 Raul Bobet 創立。 2001 年，他在海拔 1,000 米的 Talarn 村展開釀酒計劃，並意外發現附近修道院仍保留僧侶曾用以釀酒的 12 世紀石窖。Bobet 因而復原古老工法，讓葡萄在石窖自然發酵，再於不銹鋼或橡木桶中陳年。
多年來，他不斷追求完美，釀出令飲家驚嘆的作品，更憑著工程背景，與以地熱能源驅動酒莊，實踐環保理念。熱愛哲學與冥想的他，常以梵文或葡萄園地名為酒款命名，展現其簡單卻深刻的信念：以風土與真誠釀出最純粹的美酒。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 Ferrer Bobet 酒莊的莊主之一，在那裡他與葡萄酒發燒友 Sergi Ferrer-Salat 合作，展現出另一高山 Priorat 的獨特風味。
Quest 是 Raul Bobet 的又一力作。 他堅持釀造一款能展現風土與深度的波爾多混釀，透過不斷追問「為什麼」，讓自己更接近事物的本質與真理。這是一款源於自我挑戰的作品。石窖發酵，原生酵母，地心吸力引流，層次變化多端，具深度，口感非常融和。
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：
(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。
Castell d'Encus is among Spain’s most visionary estates, founded by Raul Bobet, former head winemaker at Torres. In 2001, seeking wines less affected by climate change, Bobet discovered the remote village of Talarn, 1,000 meters high in the Pyrenees subzone of Costers del Segre.
The altitude brings sharp day‑night temperature shifts, giving the wines purity, freshness, and elegance. What sets Castell d'Encus apart is its revival of ancient methods: 12th‑century hand‑carved stone lagars, once used by monks, now restored for natural fermentation. Today, most wines begin in these historic vats before aging in stainless steel or oak.
Bobet’s approach is deeply philosophical and sustainable. The wines are crafted with minimal intervention—no chemicals, low sulfur—and the entire estate is powered by geothermal energy. Many of the wines are named in Sanskrit or after the vineyards where the grapes are grown, reflecting a meditative and site‑driven ethos.
Quest stands out as a Bordeaux blend that embodies Bobet’s spirit of exploration—an ongoing challenge to question, to seek essence, and to move closer to truth through wine. It delivers remarkable complexity, layered nuance, and profound harmony on the palate.
Bobet’s work at Castell d'Encus is complemented by his role at Ferrer Bobet in Priorat, a joint venture with entrepreneur and wine lover Sergi Ferrer‑Salat, where he continues to explore the potential of mountain viticulture
Country of Origin:
Catalonia, Spain
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:
(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.
