The La Solana dels Marges 2018 from Portal del Priorat showcases the elegant and cool side of this top Spanish region as a single-varietal Carignan. Pressed from vines over a century old, this red wine by Alfredo Arribas combines enormous extract richness with fresh minerality.
Bottler: Portal del Priorat, C. de la Font n. 9, 43737 Gratallops / Spain
In the glass
Colour
Dark ruby red with a black core and violet reflections.
Nose
Lively and fresh with notes of sour cherries, wild raspberries and wild strawberries, complemented by hibiscus, violet, sumac, cloves and white pepper.
Palate
Herbal-spicy and juicy with gripping, delicately tart tannins, bright acidity and ethereal nuances of eucalyptus and menthol on the finish.
Character
Expressive, complex and direct; a powerful ensemble carried by fresh minerality with impressive finesse.
Pairing
Moroccan lamb tagine with aubergines and quinces, braised salt cod with mushrooms, or braised aubergines with mint and pine nuts.
Notes
Single vineyard site with ungrafted vines planted in 1911 on black Llicorella slate, whose north-northeast aspect gives the wine a slender, cool expression despite its high concentration.
Tasting note
Colour & appearance
Dark ruby red with a black core and violet reflections.
Nose
Surprises with immensely fresh, radiant fruit despite its deep colour. In the glass, sour cherries, wild raspberries and wild strawberries meet floral accents of hibiscus and violets. Ethereal spicy notes such as sumac, clove, vetiver and white pepper lend an invigorating coolness to the interplay of aromas.
Palate
On the palate, it reveals an impressive symbiosis of powerful extract and a tight structure. The rich red fruit is integrated into fine-meshed, pleasantly bitter tannins reminiscent of dark chocolate. A bright, clear acidity runs like a common thread through the body, supporting nuances of eucalyptus and menthol.
Finish
Extremely juicy, long-lasting and characterised by a cool minerality. The tart, fresh finish feels vibrant and alive, inviting you straight back for another sip.
Terroir & origin
This single-vineyard wine grows in the historic parcel La Solana at around 370 metres above sea level. The vines thrive on the region’s iconic Llicorella slate. Thanks to the north-north-east aspect, a cool breeze constantly blows through the rows, giving the wine its spectacular freshness.
Grape variety & vinification
Varietal Carignan (Cariñena) from vines planted in 1911. Alfredo Arribas harvests by hand with radically restricted yields. The grapes are not destemmed, ferment for around 40 days in wooden casks and then mature for 18 months in French 500- to 700-litre barrels.
Food pairings
An ideal partner for a Moroccan lamb tagine with aubergines, mint and quince or braised aubergines with mint, parsley, raisins and pine nuts. Also a stylish pairing for salt cod braised in red wine with mushrooms.
Particularities
A masterful alternative to overladen Priorat heavyweights: with just 13.5 per cent ABV, this wine combines the profound density of 100-year-old vines with breathtaking, delicate drinkability.
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