Alges 2019

Clos Pons farms in the D.O. Costers del Segre, on the inland Lleida plateau where a continental climate brings hot days and cold nights. The wide diurnal range slows the final ripening of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Syrah and locks in colour, acidity and aromatic freshness even as sugars climb. Vines grown at 500 metres on stony, lime-influenced soils, farmed organically with deliberately low yields, concentrate the fruit and give the wine its depth. The harvest is done by hand. Alges ages nine months in a mix of French and American oak, a shorter regime that keeps the fruit forward while adding structure, the American barrels lending vanilla and coconut sweetness and the French a tighter, spicier grain. Controlled oxygen exchange through the staves rounds the tannin without burying the variety. The colour is deep cherry red. The nose shows ripe plum and black cherry over black pepper, liquorice, dried herbs and sweet oak spice. The palate is full and warming, with supple tannin, ripe fruit and a long spiced finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees with roast lamb or grilled pork.