Les Cousins L’Inévitable 2022

Les Cousins is the project of cousins Marc and Adria Perez, who trained together in Priorat, Bordeaux, the Rhone, Uruguay and South Africa before setting up in Porrera in 2007. L'Inevitable is their easygoing red, a blend of Garnacha Tinta and Merlot with a small portion of the white grape Viognier, a Rhone-inspired co-blending that lifts the aromatics with a floral note. Bottled as Vino de Mesa, it is made for freshness and early drinking rather than long ageing. The wine is raised entirely in concrete for eight months, an inert vessel that adds no oak character and preserves the bright fruit and primary aromatics, while the tank's gentle micro-oxygenation rounds the texture. The colour is bright cherry-red. The nose is fruit-driven, with red cherry, strawberry and plum lifted by white flowers, dried herbs and a touch of black pepper. The palate is light to medium-bodied, juicy and fresh, with soft tannins, low alcohol at 12.5 percent and a clean, lively finish. It is a versatile everyday red, best drunk young. Serve at 14 to 16 degrees, lightly chilled if you prefer. It is flexible at the table.