Merum Priorati - El Cel Priorat 2016

Merum Priorati - El Cel Priorat 2016 (93 TSW)
Blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan and Grenache.

At Merum Priorati, the youngest wine company within the Pere Ventura Family Wine Estates @pereventuracava , they love that respect. Because they know that the harsh Mediterranean mountain country produces exceptional wines, from (old) grenache noir and carignan, supplemented with cabernet sauvignon and syrah.

The grapes come from their highest vineyards between 16 and 104 years old. They ripen a bit slower there closer to "the sky" but deliver deeper refined characteristics.
The yield is low and amounts to approximately 18 hectoliters per hectare. After the grapes have been destemmed, a temperature controlled fermentation and maceration time on stainless steel of approximately three weeks follows.

After a gentle pressing, the second malolactic fermentation (here harder malic acid is converted into softer lactic acid) follows new 225 liter barrels of French oak.
Then maturation in these barrels from 14 to 18 months. Then the bottling without clarification and filtering. (This way all substances contribute to the complexity of the wine. Over time, some sediment can form.

My tasting notes:

In the glass a deep ruby red color with purple rim.
On the medium+ nose aromas of blackberries, black cherries and plums with hints of black pepper, menthol, herbs and cedar.
On the palate dry, full-bodied with medium acidity and ripe tannins. Flavours are a recall of the nose witn liquorice, chocolate and herbs.
A very long, complex final. Great Priorat juice.

To pair with dishes such as hare, wild rabbit, venison back, but also stews of meat or poultry, roasted or grilled lamb or pork with a beautiful red wine sauce and aged, hard Spanish cheeses.