Les Sorts Vinyes Velles 2023

Les Sorts Vinyes Velles is made by Celler Masroig, a cooperative founded in 1917 in the town of El Masroig, within the Montsant appellation that wraps around Priorat in Catalonia. The wine comes from old vineyards of Cariñena and Garnacha, the two grapes that define this corner of Catalonia. Montsant shares much of Priorat's geology, with poor, stony soils and a warm, dry climate, and the low yielding old vines concentrate the fruit while their deep roots find moisture and minerality in the subsoil. The full ripening of the region pushes the wine to a generous fifteen percent, with Cariñena bringing dark fruit, firm acidity and grip and Garnacha adding red fruit and warmth. Ageing is long, seventeen months in French oak, which rounds the tannins through slow oxygenation and layers in vanilla and sweet spice while the fruit stays in front. The colour is deep, dense ruby. The nose shows ripe blackberry and plum, red berries, vanilla and a hint of pepper over a stony base. The palate is full bodied and firmly structured, with ripe tannin and a long, mineral finish. Serve at 17 degrees, decanted, with grilled or stewed red meat.