Les Cousins L’Inconscient 2024

Les Cousins is the project of cousins Marc and Adrià Pérez, trained at the family winery Mas Martinet and shaped by Priorat's modern revival. L'Inconscient draws on old vines around Porrera, blending Garnacha and Cariñena with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Priorat's defining feature is its licorella, the slate and quartzite schist that forces vines to root deep for water, producing low yields of concentrated fruit and giving the wines their mineral signature. The steep terraces and warm but ventilated climate ripen the fruit fully while the old vines keep the structure measured. The wine ages twelve months in large foudres, where the higher wine-to-wood ratio allows gentle oxygen exchange and softens the tannins without adding heavy oak flavour, leaving the fruit and the soil to lead. The colour is deep and bright. The nose shows cherry, plum and red berries with black pepper, liquorice and a stony, earthy note. The palate is full but fresh, with firm mineral tannins, dark fruit and a long, savoury finish that reflects the schist. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted ahead. It suits grilled meats and mushroom dishes.