Clos Lentiscus Perill Noir Carinyena 2019

Clos Lentiscus Perill Noir is a varietal Cariñena from Clos Lentiscus, a family winery in the heart of the Garraf natural park near Sant Pere de Ribes in Penedès. The project works to make wine as it once was, farming without pesticides or herbicides, following the moon for planting, pruning and harvest, and bottling with minimal intervention, and the wine is made as a natural and vegan red. The vines grow on sandy-calcareous soils in a coastal Mediterranean setting, where the limestone base lends freshness and lift while the sandy topsoil drains well and keeps the fruit clean and aromatic. Cariñena, late-ripening and naturally high in acidity and tannin, suits this warm but airy site. The wine ages 24 months in foudres, large old oak casks whose size means very gentle oxygen exchange and little wood flavour, so the fruit and structure stay to the fore while the tannins soften slowly. It is deep red with a developing rim. The nose shows red fruit and plum with dried herbs, black pepper and a savoury, earthy edge, and the palate is medium to full bodied, fresh and structured, with firm tannins and a long, leathery finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted. It suits grilled lamb and earthy dishes.