2015 Cara Nord de Les Muntanyes de Prades Conca de Barbers, Catalonia Spain

This 2015 Cara Nord is a red blend of Garnacha, Syrah and the local Garrut, a grape believed to have originated in the Conca de Barbera. The grapes come from a mixture of old and younger vines on complex limestone, lime and slate soils and underwent a cold soak before fermenting at low temperature.

The wine matured in French oak barrels of different sizes for five months. It’s balsamic with a core of wild red fruit, a hint of incense and smoke, quite spicy and something Rhone-ish through the small percentage of Syrah. This is juicy, medium-bodied with fine tannins combining minerality from different soils, slate, granite and limestone. Easy to drink, accessible and very pleasant.