Martí Fabra Selecció Vinyes Velles 2024

Martí Fabra Selecció Vinyes Velles is an old-vine red from D.O. Empordà, in the far northeast of Catalonia, made by the family cellar at Sant Climent Sescebes. The fruit comes from very old vines of between fifty and eighty years, planted on slate soils in the foothills of the Albera range. Old vines like these crop sparingly and root deeply, drawing on the slate to give low yields of concentrated, mineral fruit, while the warm Mediterranean climate and exposure drive the grapes to full ripeness at 15% alcohol. The blend is led by Garnacha and rounded out with Samsó, Tempranillo, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Ageing is a relatively short eight months in French oak, enough to settle the wine and add a frame of spice while keeping the focus on ripe fruit. The colour is deep, dark red. The nose shows ripe plum and black berries, cracked pepper and a herbal, scrubland note, with oak in the background. The palate is full and warm, with ripe tannin, dark fruit and a savoury, earthy finish. Serve at 17 degrees. It suits rich, grilled and roasted meats.