Sandra Doix MarLa Vi de Vila Poboleda 2022

Sandra Doix named this wine for her daughters Martina and Laia, drawing on the old Mas Doix family vineyards at Poboleda in the northwest of Priorat. It is a village blend, a vi de vila, of Cariñena and Garnacha Tinta from ancient, pre phylloxera vines that have belonged to the family across six generations. The vineyards sit on llicorella, the slate and quartzite soil that defines Priorat and pushes roots deep, giving wines mineral intensity and grip. The Mediterranean climate and very old, low yielding vines concentrate the fruit, while elevation and cool nights hold acidity in balance. Cariñena brings structure and dark fruit, Garnacha adds red fruit and warmth. The wine ages twelve months in barrel, where gentle oxygen exchange rounds the tannin and adds spice. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows ripe cherry, plum and blackberry over liquorice, dried herbs and a slatey mineral note. The palate is full bodied with firm but ripe tannin, fresh acidity and a long, stony finish. Serve at sixteen to eighteen degrees and decant. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and game.