Herència Altés La Pilosa 2024

Herència Altés is run by Nuria Altés and Rafael de Haan in Batea, in the Terra Alta hills of inland Catalonia, where they champion the local Garnacha. La Pilosa is made from Garnacha Peluda, the hairy-leaved mutation of Grenache whose downy underside shades the fruit and slows ripening, helping the grapes keep acidity and freshness in a hot, dry climate. The vines grow on poor limestone and clay soils, some of them old, which restrict yields and concentrate flavour. The warm days and cool nights of this elevated inland zone preserve aromatic lift despite the ripeness, and the wine reaches 15 percent alcohol. Fermentation is followed by 14 months in foudres, where the large neutral oak allows slow oxygen exchange and tannin softening without adding wood flavour, keeping the fruit clean. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows ripe red berries and plum, with black pepper, dried garrigue herbs and a savoury earthiness. The palate is full and warm, with rounded tannins and a long, peppery finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and roasted vegetables.