Arbossar 2023

Arbossar comes from Terroir al Límit, a small producer in the village of Torroja in D.O.Q. Priorat founded by Dominik A. Huber. It is a single-varietal Cariñena drawn from 90 year old vines planted in the highest and coolest sites of the estate. Priorat's defining soil is llicorella, a fractured slate that reflects heat and forces vines to root deeply for water, concentrating fruit while the altitude preserves acidity through a wide day to night temperature swing. The wine is aged for eight months in concrete tanks rather than oak, so the inert vessel allows controlled micro-oxygenation and softens the tannins without adding wood flavour or colour, keeping the focus on fruit and site. This gives a more delicate, mineral expression than the region's heavier reds. Expect a medium to full bodied red with red berries, cherry and plum, dried Mediterranean herbs, cracked pepper and a smoky, stony minerality on a firm but fine tannic frame. The finish is long and savoury. Serve at 16 to 18C in a large bowled glass, decanting for half an hour. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and mushroom dishes.