Familia Torres Grans Muralles 2019

Grans Muralles is an estate red from D.O. Conca de Barberà in Catalonia, made by Familia Torres from a blend of native Catalan varieties including Cariñena, Garnacha and Monastrell. The fruit comes from a single walled vineyard at the foot of the Poblet Monastery, under cultivation since Cistercian monks first planted it in the 13th century. The soils are licorella slate and gravel, which drain freely and force the vines deep, concentrating the fruit and carrying a stony, savoury character into the wine. A continental climate with marked day to night temperature swings preserves acidity and aromatic detail while the grapes ripen fully. After fermentation on the skins the wine spends 18 months in French, Allier and Nevers oak, the slow oxygen exchange knitting the tannins together and adding spice. It is deep and concentrated, the nose offering blueberry and ripe red fruit with dried flowers, wild herbs and black pepper, the palate full bodied and firmly structured with liquorice and a mineral, earthy finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant well ahead. It is built for roast and grilled red meats.