Bottler: Portal del Priorat, C. de la Font n. 9, 43737 Gratallops / Spain
In the glass
Colour
Deep blackish red with subtle violet nuances at the rim.
Nose
Cool minerality and dark berries such as blackberry, blueberry and cassis, underpinned by herbs as well as spicy notes of cardamom, juniper and sandalwood.
Palate
Silky tannin structure and refreshing acidity meet opulent fullness; fine minerality allows the wood to step harmoniously into the background.
Character
Complex, dense and profound, yet possessed of surprising freshness, elegance and Burgundian finesse.
Pairing
Pairs wonderfully with venison en croûte with truffle, Oriental lamb tagine with couscous, and a savoury mushroom and vegetable pie.
Notes
A single-varietal Carignan from nearly 100-year-old vines, shaped by the barren Llicorella slate and perfected by maturation in the generous magnum bottle.
Tasting note
Colour & Appearance
Deep black-red with minimal violet highlights towards the rim.
Nose
Cool, mineral-driven and defined by great complexity. After a little aeration, intense herbal notes emerge alongside blackberries, blueberries, rowanberries and cassis. Finely spiced accents of cardamom, juniper and sandalwood bestow a fascinating, oriental nuance upon the aromatics.
Palate
On the palate, the striking slate minerality continues seamlessly. A refreshing acid structure meets fine-grained tannins, ensuring the opulent richness is carried with remarkable Burgundian finesse and elegance. The oak notes are completely subordinate to the fruit, providing enormous drinking pleasure.
Terroir & Origin
Defined by the black Llicorella slate of the subregion in the south of Priorat (near El Lloar and Bellmunt). The barren, steep terroir forced the roots deep into the rock and preserved the ancient vines from phylloxera.
Grape Variety & Vinification
Single-varietal Carignan (Cariñena) from almost century-old, ungrafted vines. Alfredo Arribas harvests earlier than many of his neighbours and radically restricts yields to around one kilogram per vine. Managed organically in the vineyard, winemaker Joan Asens relies in the cellar on spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts, short maceration, and avoids new oak entirely.
Food Pairings
Ideal with mushroom and root vegetable pie, an elegant venison Wellington with truffle and chestnut purée or an orientally spiced lamb tagine with couscous and raisins. Decanting prior to serving is essential.
Special Features
An aristocratic, monumental wine in a large format: the 1500ml Magnum offers the perfect ageing potential for these extremely low-yielding, ancient Carignan vines, showcasing strength and alpine freshness rather than heavy oak weight.
