Cara Nord Negre 2016

The 2016 Cara Nord Red is a blend of 42% Garnacha and 38% Syrah complemented by some 20% obscure Garrut grapes, an ancestral variety that is being recovered now. The vines were planted in 2000 at 700 to 800 meters altitude in the village of Vimbodí-Poblet within the Conca de Barberà appellation. The Garrut and Syrah are on slate soils, and the Garnacha is on clay and limestone ones. It fermented in stainless steel with natural yeasts and matured in oak barrels for six months followed by a further five months in underground concrete vats. 2016 was a cool, slow-ripening vintage. This seems to have changed the wine's aromatic profile (maybe a different blend and also a cooler year), with strong aromas of black peppercorns and dried flowers, very flowery and ash, in a volcanic-ish style. The palate is medium-bodied, with fine tannins and very tasty flavors. This is a great value, a characterful red. 20,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in February 2018.