Mas de Can Blau 2020

Mas de Can Blau is a red from D.O. Montsant, the appellation that wraps around Priorat in southern Catalonia, made by Can Blau within the Gil Family group. The blend is Cariñena, Syrah and Garnacha drawn from old vines of around forty years, which crop lightly and give deeper, more concentrated fruit. Montsant shares much of the rocky, poor soil and warm, dry climate of its neighbour, conditions that push ripeness and the wine reaches 14.5% alcohol. Fermentation and maceration take place in small stainless steel tanks, after which the malolactic fermentation, which converts sharp malic acid into softer lactic acid, is carried out in French oak. The wine then ages eighteen months in those same barrels, the slow contact with oak rounding the tannins and adding spice and toast. It is dark cherry, almost opaque, in the glass. The nose shows ripe blackberry and plum, liquorice and a whisper of toasted oak. The palate is full and structured, with ripe tannin, dark fruit, a touch of dark chocolate and a long, smoky finish. Serve at 17 degrees, decanted. Best with hearty meat dishes.