Portal Del Priorat Somni 2021

Somni comes from Portal del Priorat, the estate owned by Alfredo Arribas, and is grown at Clos del Portal between Bellmunt and El Lloar in the D.O.Q. Priorat. The vines sit on licorella, the fractured slate that defines the region: it drains hard, forces roots deep for water and returns a firm mineral streak and low yields concentrated in fruit. Farming is organic and the harvest is manual into small cases in early October. This is a blend of Carignan, which gives colour, acidity and grip, and Syrah, which adds pepper and dark fruit. After fermentation the wine spends fourteen months in used French oak, where slow oxygen exchange through the staves softens the tannins and knits the two varieties without adding heavy vanilla. The result is deep and dark in the glass, with dark plum and black cherry on the nose over black pepper, liquorice and a smoky, stony edge. The palate is full and structured, with the slate minerality running through firm tannins to a long savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18C and decant an hour ahead. Good with roast lamb, grilled beef and mushroom dishes.