Vins Nus Siuralta Rouge 2021

Siuralta Rouge is part of Alfredo Arribas's Vins Nus project, begun in 2008 in his search for high-altitude vineyards in Montsant. The vines sit in the cooler upper reaches of the appellation, where altitude widens the gap between warm days and cold nights, so the Garnacha Tintorera and Trepat ripen slowly and keep their natural acidity and freshness. Farming is biodynamic and the grapes are picked at optimal ripeness. The wine is made naturally, vegan, and aged for six months in clay amphorae rather than oak, a neutral vessel whose porous walls allow slow micro-oxygenation while adding no wood character, so the fruit and the savoury, mineral side of the site come through unmasked. The colour is bright and medium ruby. The nose leads with red berries, redcurrant and cherry over dried herbs, a touch of rose and earth. The palate is light to medium bodied, fresh and direct, with fine tannin and lively acidity through a clean finish. Serve at 14 to 16 degrees, lightly chilled if you prefer. It is well suited to lighter meats and mushroom dishes, and can stand in for a white.