Terroir Sense Fronteres Guix Vermell Negre 2018

Guix Vermell Negre is made by Dominik Huber of Terroir Sense Fronteres from Garnacha Tinta grown in D.O. Montsant. A lover of Priorat, Huber works here with fewer restrictions, returning to the grape, soil and climate and aiming for greater freshness and lightness than the ripe regional norm. At 13.5 per cent the wine keeps a light, perfumed balance, the picking decisions holding acidity and lift. The name points to the white gypsum, guix in Catalan, that runs through the soils alongside slate and clay, giving drainage and a stony, savoury minerality. Ageing is six months in cement deposits only. The neutral, airtight concrete preserves the fresh fruit and bright colour and contributes no oak flavour or tannin, so the wine shows the Garnacha and the site plainly. It pours a bright, medium ruby. The nose is red berry and plum with earth, dried herbs and a touch of rose. The palate is light to medium and fresh, with fine tannin, lively acidity and a clean, mineral finish. Serve at 14 to 16 degrees, lightly cooled. It is an easy, savoury red for the table.