Tocat de l’Ala 2022

Tocat de l'Ala is the Empordà red from Coca i Fitó, the Catalan winery founded by brothers Toni and Miquel Coca in 2006. It blends Cariñena, Garnacha Tinta and Syrah grown in the far north-east of Catalonia, where the Tramontana wind sweeps down off the Pyrenees and dries the bunches, concentrating sugar and colour while keeping the fruit clean. The schist and granite soils here are poor and free draining, which limits vigour and pushes the old Garnacha and Cariñena vines to ripen fully at the region's warm latitude. Vinification is straightforward, with the blend spending four months in French and American oak barrels. That short ageing softens the tannins and adds a light frame of vanilla and sweet spice without covering the fruit, while the slow oxygen exchange through the barrel staves rounds the texture. The wine is deep ruby, with a nose of ripe plum, red berries and black pepper over a savoury, earthy base. The palate is full and warm at 14.5% alcohol, with ripe tannins, a liquorice edge and a peppery Syrah lift on the finish. Serve at 16 to 17C, decanting an hour ahead, alongside grilled and roasted meats.