Lasendal 2023

Lasendal is a blend of Garnacha Tinta and Syrah from Celler de Capçanes in the D.O. Montsant, the Catalan cooperative that five families founded in the village of Capçanes in 1933 and later turned towards quality rather than volume. Montsant wraps around Priorat and shares much of its character, with vineyards on a mix of clay, limestone and slate driven granite soils that drain well and stress the vines into concentrated fruit. The continental climate with Mediterranean influence brings hot days and cool nights, ripening the Garnacha fully while the Syrah adds colour, pepper and backbone. The wine spends nine months in French oak barrels followed by six months in steel tank. Time in French oak rounds the tannins and adds fine spice and toast through slow oxygen exchange, while the rest in inert steel settles the wine and refreshes the fruit before bottling. The colour is deep cherry red. The nose offers ripe red fruit, especially cherry, with toasted, spicy aromas. The palate is full and approachable, with sweet dark fruit, peppery spice, firm but ripe tannins and a warm finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees. It suits grilled lamb, beef and mushroom dishes.