El Senat del Montsant 2024

El Senat is the third wine in the 7 magnífics project run by Bodegas Torres across Catalonia, vinified at Celler el Masroig in D.O. Montsant. The blend is Carignan and Garnacha in equal parts with a fifth of Syrah, drawn from carefully selected old vines. Montsant rings the slate heart of Priorat, and its mix of slate, limestone and sandy soils, combined with a warm but altitude-tempered climate, gives ripe yet structured reds. Old vines crop little and concentrate the fruit, while Carignan brings firm acidity and tannin and Garnacha supplies red fruit and body. The wine spends eight months in French oak barrels, enough for slow oxygen exchange to settle the tannins and add a light spice frame while keeping the wine fresh and fruit-led rather than oaky. The aim is to express the local character of Montsant. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows black plum and red berries over black pepper, liquorice and a smoky, herbal note. The palate is full bodied with firm, ripe tannins, good acidity and an earthy, mineral finish. Serve at 17 degrees and decant young bottles. It suits roast lamb and grilled beef.