Ver Sacrum Monastrell 2020

Ver Sacrum is the work of Eduardo Soler and a group of friends drawn together by a love of Mediterranean grapes, made in the Valle de Uco high in the Andes foothills of Mendoza. This Monastrell comes from Los Chacayes, a cool, elevated subregion where the vineyards sit well above a thousand metres on stony, alluvial soils washed down from the mountains. Altitude is everything here: the intense sunlight ripens the fruit while cold nights and a wide diurnal range lock in acidity, colour and aromatic freshness, so a grape usually known for power comes out lighter and more lifted than its warm-climate reputation suggests. The free-draining stony soils stress the vines and keep yields low and the fruit concentrated. Ageing in cement eggs and barrel preserves that freshness, the inert cement holding pure fruit while gentle barrel time rounds the tannin without adding heavy oak. Expect a bright ruby colour and a nose of red berries, fresh cherry and plum over black pepper, thyme and a savoury, earthy edge. The palate is fresh and medium-bodied with fine tannin, real lift and a peppery, liquorice-tinged finish. Serve at 16 degrees in a large glass. It suits lamb and grilled meats.