Mas Llunes Finca Butarós 2019

Mas Llunes works in D.O. Empordà in north-eastern Catalonia, a land of strong tramuntana winds that thin the canopy, concentrate the fruit and help keep the organically farmed vineyards healthy. Finca Butarós is a blend of Cariñena and Garnacha Tinta, two grapes long established on the warm, stony Empordà soils, where the Mediterranean climate ripens them to a ripe 14.5 percent. The wine is aged twelve months in oak barrels. Barrel ageing softens the firm Cariñena tannins through slow oxygen exchange and knits the structure together, while the oak adds a frame of spice and a fine grain to the tannin. Cariñena brings colour, acidity and grip, with Garnacha filling the mid-palate with sweet red and dark fruit. The wine is deep, near-opaque ruby. The nose offers dark plum and red berry, cracked black pepper, dried thyme and rosemary, with an earthy, savoury undertow. The palate is full and structured, the ripe fruit carried on firm tannin and a warm liquorice finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanting an hour ahead. It calls for grilled red meat.