Celler Vall Llach - Porrera vi de Vila de Vall Llach 2016

Celler Vall Llach - Porrera vi de Vila de Vall Llach 2016 (92+ TSW)

We started the week with a little Priorat tasting. We had all kinds of things to discuss about our new Priorat project so we opened this great blend of 70% Cariñena and 30% Garnatxa.

Porrera Vi de Vila de Vall Llach is the top wine of this domain. It is made only from the oldest vines (usually older than 75 years) they own on the slopes of the mountains. Yield here is barely 300 grams of grapes per vine. This wine is therefore the nec plus ultra of vieilles vignes. It is not for nothing that Lluis Llach (Catalan chansonnier and wine fanatic) gave his name to this wine.

The fermentation of the destemmed grapes takes place in stainless steel tanks with a capacity of 2.500 and 5.000 liters. Fermentation at a controlled temperature between 25 and 29 C for 17 days with daily punching and careful pumping. Post-fermentation maceration for 12 days followed by soft pressing. The malolactic is carried out for 50% in stainless steel tanks and the other 50% in French oak barrels.

The Cariñena is aged in 3.000 liter barrels of new French oak with light and medium roasted fine grains and second-year foudre. The Garnacha goes to 2.000 liter foudres of the second year. Stretching is performed during aging, which is 14 months.

My tasting notes:

Decanted for some hours this still young wine.

In the glass a deep inky red / black color.
On the medium(+) notes aromas of black fruits like plums, blackberries and ripe black currants with hints of earth, chocolate, vanilla and vegetable hints.
On the palate dry, full-bodied with medium acidity and medium(+) ripe tannins and high alcohol (not disturbing). Lots of dark and red concentrated fruit in the mouth with hints of spices, leather and toast. I guess after some more time aging it will gain more complexity and depth.

To pair with red meat, powerful stews, all kinds of cheeses and oriental cuisine.