Pinord Clos Del Mas 2023

Clos del Mas is a red from the D.O.Q. Priorat, made by Pinord from Garnacha, Cariñena and Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes come from eighteen hectares of the Mas Blanc estate, planted on built terraces at considerable altitude and farmed by biodynamic methods. Priorat is defined by its llicorella soils of decomposed slate and quartz, which retain daytime heat and force the vines to root deeply for water, concentrating the fruit and carrying a stony mineral imprint into the wine. The steep terraced slopes and altitude lengthen the growing season, so the old traditional varieties ripen fully while keeping freshness. After fermentation the wine spends six months in French oak, enough to round the tannins and add a measured oak frame while preserving the vivid fruit. It is deep and dark in the glass, with ripe plum and black berry fruit, liquorice, crushed stone and a savoury earthiness, lifted by pepper from the Cariñena and Cabernet backbone. The palate is full bodied and firmly structured, with grippy tannins and a long mineral finish. Serve at sixteen to eighteen degrees, and decant young bottles an hour ahead. It pairs with grilled red meat, game and hard cheese.