Laurona Tinto 2014

Laurona is a red wine from D.O. Montsant in Catalonia, made by the Laurona winery from a blend led by Garnacha and Cariñena with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. The fruit comes from old vines over fifty years of age, low-yielding plants that give concentrated, structured wine. Montsant wraps around the Priorat hills, and shares much of their character, with poor soils of slate and granite that force the roots deep and lend the reds a firm, stony grip and dark fruit. After harvest the wine ferments in 50-hectolitre tanks with regular pumping over for steady extraction of colour and tannin from the skins. It then ages for around a year in 500-litre French oak barrels, larger vessels that allow gentle oxygen exchange and rounded tannins while leaving the fruit and minerality to lead. The 2014 shows a violet-tinged red colour and a complex, intense nose of ripe dark fruit, liquorice and earth. The palate is full and structured, with firm tannins, savoury depth and a long mineral finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant; it is built for roasted and braised red meat.