Priorat Carinyena 'Clos Monlleó Selecció' Sangenis i Vaqué 2013

With its deep and complex style, Priorat 'Clos Monlleó Selecció Carinyena' is the highest expression of Cariñena produced by the family-run Sangenís I Vaqué winery. Also known around the world by the synonyms Carinyena, Carignano, Mazuelo and Samsó, Cariñena is an ancient variety cultivated throughout the Mediterranean basin, from Sardinia to Catalonia, via Rioja, Languedoc-Roussillon and Lebanon. However, it is among the steep slate slopes of the Priorat that this grape variety probably reaches its qualitative apex, giving rise to powerful yet elegant wines.

Sangenís I Vaqué Priorat 'Clos Monlleó Selecció Carinyena' comes from only Cariñena grapes grown using sustainable practices within the Les Roques Llises vineyard. This vineyard, planted over 50 years ago, is characterised by a high altitude and a slate soil matrix. Manual harvesting is followed by mashing of the grapes in ceramic-lined underground tanks, where alcoholic fermentation takes place with 30 days of maceration on the skins. Malolactic fermentation is carried out completely and the wine is then placed to age in new French Allier oak barriques for 18 months, after which it is bottled without prior clarification or filtration in a very limited quantity.

The 'Clos Monlleó Selecció Carinyena' Priorat from Sangenís I Vaqué is deep ruby red in colour. The rich bouquet brings with it enveloping aromas of plum, black cherry, liquorice, eucalyptus and bay leaf, enhanced by mineral nuances of graphite and toasted and spicy hints due to the long passage in oak. The taste is dry, structured and full-bodied, with a ripe tannic texture to guide the very long final persistence.