Companyia Vitícola Sileo 2023

Sileo comes from the D.O. Montsant in Catalonia, a region that rings the higher Priorat and shares much of its rugged character. It blends Garnacha, at around 80 percent, with Samso, the local name for Carignan, from three old vineyards farmed ecologically and organically by several winemaking families. The grapes are picked and sorted by hand to keep the fruit intact. Montsant's soils range from limestone and clay to sandy patches and the licorella slate found near Priorat, poor free-draining ground that yields small, concentrated berries, while warm days and cooler nights build ripeness alongside freshness. Old Garnacha brings red fruit and roundness and Samso adds colour, grip and a savoury edge. Ageing is short, four months in French oak, so the wood frames the fruit rather than covering it. The wine is medium to deep red, with a nose of ripe red cherry, raspberry and plum over dried herbs, pepper and a stony minerality. The palate is medium bodied and fresh, with supple tannin and a savoury, faintly earthy finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and roasted vegetables.