Origami Wines Mysti Syrah 2023

Mysti is a Syrah from D.O. Montsant, the appellation that rings the slate terraces of Priorat in Tarragona. It is made by the Berdié project, a Penedès producer of cava and wine, from Syrah on vines over 15 years old that are harvested by hand. Montsant's warm, dry climate and poor, stony soils keep yields low and concentrate the fruit, while the altitude preserves freshness through cool nights. Before fermentation the must macerates on the skins for 15 days, a long contact that extracts deep colour, tannin and the variety's peppery phenolics. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation both take place in stainless steel, the malolactic conversion softening the sharp malic acid into rounder lactic acid, before the wine spends six months in French oak barrels to add structure and a measured frame of spice. It is deep purple, with ripe plum and black cherry on the nose lifted by black pepper, liquorice and a smoky, herbal edge that is typical of Syrah grown in the Spanish heat. The palate is full and warm, the tannins ripe and the finish long. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. It suits grilled red meat and game.