Ònix Clàssic 2024

Ònix Clàssic is a young red from Vinícola del Priorat, a roughly even blend of Garnacha and Samsó, the local name for Cariñena. The grapes are drawn from more than 300 small plots across the appellation, all grown on llicorella, the broken slate soil that defines Priorat. These steep, stony terraces hold little water and force the vines to root deep, giving low yields of concentrated fruit and the firm mineral grip the region is known for. The fruit is hand-harvested into 15-kilo crates so the grapes arrive whole and unbroken, avoiding any premature fermentation, and ripening is followed closely in the vineyard. This bottling sees no oak ageing, which keeps the fruit clear and the slate character to the fore. The 2024 is bright red. The nose leads with raspberry, cherry and plum lifted by black pepper and dried herbs, and the palate is medium to full bodied, fresh and savoury, with grainy tannins and a mineral, earthy finish. At 14.5 percent it stays vivid rather than heavy. Serve at 16 degrees in a large glass. It suits grilled lamb and roast vegetables.