Anais Negre 2023

Anais Negre is a red wine from Celler U Mes U at Guardiola de Font Rubí in the D.O. Penedès, blending Tempranillo and Syrah. The project, started in 2000 by Josep Anton Bonell and oenologist Josep Piñol at the Masia Navinés, farms almost all of its vineyards organically and aims for elegant, modern, approachable wines. Penedès lies inland from the Catalan coast, with vineyards rising from the plain towards the hills, and its limestone rich soils and Mediterranean climate moderated by altitude give ripe Tempranillo and Syrah with good freshness. The Tempranillo brings red fruit and structure while the Syrah adds colour, pepper and a darker edge. The wine spends four months in used French oak barrels, a short, gentle pass that rounds the tannins through slow oxygen exchange and adds light spice without the vanilla and toast of new wood, keeping the fruit clear and fresh. The colour is bright red. The nose offers ripe red berries, cherry, plum and a touch of pepper and spice. The palate is medium bodied and supple, with juicy fruit, fine tannins and a clean, savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. It suits grilled meats, roast lamb and pork.