Josep Foraster Trepat 2024

Mas Foraster works in the cool Conca de Barberà, inland from the Catalan coast, where Trepat is the signature local grape. This single-variety red comes from vineyards over 50 years old at 500 metres, on alluvial soils of limestone and clay scattered with rounded pebbles that radiate warmth by day and aid drainage. Trepat is a late-ripening, thin-skinned grape that gives pale colour and low tannin, so it is handled gently. The grapes are picked late at full maturity, the maceration is kept cold to preserve aroma and colour, and fermentation runs on native yeasts from the vineyard. A short five months in French oak rounds the texture without covering the fruit. The colour is light translucent ruby. The nose shows fresh red berries, cherry, dried rose and a touch of rhubarb, with a peppery, earthy edge from the altitude and stony soil. The palate is light bodied and dry, with bright acidity, gentle tannin and a clean savoury finish. Serve lightly chilled at 14 to 16 degrees. It suits lighter meats and vegetable dishes.