Castell D’Encús Thalarn 2019

Castell d'Encús Thalarn is a single-variety Syrah from Costers del Segre, made by the winery Raül Bobet founded in 2001, the figure also behind Ferrer Bobet. The vineyards sit high in the Pyrenean foothills, and Bobet farms with no herbicides or pesticides. The defining feature here is altitude in a continental climate: the wide thermal contrast between hot days and cold nights ripens Syrah slowly while locking in acidity, colour and the cool-climate pepper and floral character that set this wine apart from warmer Syrah. The mountain soils and low yields concentrate the fruit. Fermentation on skins extracts the colour and structured phenolics, and the wine ages twelve months in French oak, where measured oxygen exchange firms and refines the tannins and adds a fine frame of cedar and spice without heavy toast. The 2019 is deep violet-tinged ruby. The nose is fresh and lifted, with red and black fruit, black pepper, smoke and dried herbs over a stony note. The palate is full but taut, with firm, fine tannin, bright acidity and a long, mineral finish. Serve at 16 to 18C. It suits grilled beef, lamb, game and mushroom dishes.