Espelt Terres Negres 2021

Terres Negres is an Empordà red from Celler Espelt, blending around eighty per cent Carignan with twenty per cent Garnacha. The grapes come from old vines of sixty to eighty years, the Carignan rooted in chalky soils and the Garnacha on granite, two terroirs that pull the wine in complementary directions: chalk for structure and acidity, granite for warmth and red fruit. Empordà sits in the far north-east of Catalonia, exposed to the dry Tramuntana wind that keeps the canopy healthy and concentrates the small old-vine crop. The harvest is done by hand into fifteen-kilo crates, with selection in the field and each plot vinified separately. Alcoholic fermentation runs in stainless steel at around twenty-eight degrees to fix colour and fruit, after which the wine spends twelve months in French oak, the slow barrel oxidation knitting the firm Carignan tannins together. The colour is deep and dark. The nose shows blackberry and plum with black pepper, liquorice, garrigue herbs and an earthy base. The palate is full and structured, with grippy tannins, fresh acidity and a long savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted. Match it with roast lamb, grilled red meat and game.