2022 Mas Dels Frares, Priorat, Spain, 14%, 75cl

Vinicola del Priorat is the only co-operative in Priorat, founded by 140 grower-producers in the four beautiful villages of El Lloar, La Vilella Baixa, La Vilella Alta and Gratallop.

Here they work over 300 small plots on steep slate slopes that can exceed 30% in gradient. Some of these plots are over 100 years old, with an average age of vines for this wine around 40 years.

The nose shows a brooding richness with concentrated fruits like blueberries and red plums against a background of cedar and tobacco-leaf notes from the oak. A powerful wine, yet with elegance, it is well-structured with lively acidity, grippy high quality tannins, and a tasty moreish salinity in the extended finish. Grenache 35%,, Carignan 30%, Cabernet Sauvignon 20% & Merlot 15%