Garnatxa de Cims de Porrera 2019

Garnatxa de Cims de Porrera is a single variety Grenache red from D.O.Q. Priorat in Catalonia, made from vines between 40 and 100 years old at 350 to 500 metres, planted at 2,800 vines per hectare. Priorat is a steep, hot, dry region whose defining feature is its licorella, a black slate that reflects heat and forces the vine roots deep through the rock for water. That stress on old vines gives very low yields and concentrated, structured wine with a distinct mineral, savoury character. The harvest is by hand into 12 kilogram boxes, the Grenache destemmed and crushed, then fermented at 28 to 30 degrees for two weeks with a couple of pump overs a day. The wine then spends 15 to 20 days on its skins with the lees stirred before pressing, drawing out colour, tannin and texture, and ages sixteen months in French oak. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows ripe red fruit and plum with black pepper, liquorice, smoke and a stony, herbal edge. The palate is full and firm, the tannins structured, the finish long and mineral. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant for an hour. It suits grilled lamb, beef and game.