Arbossar 2021

A mature, pale red wine that shows depth without ever becoming heavy. Raspberry and sour cherry carry it, while at its core a dark trace of tar and the darkest fruit remains. Alongside these, almond blossom and hibiscus add a floral layer.

The vineyard lies around 500 metres from Torroja del Priorat, at nearly 400 metres of altitude, extremely steep and entirely north-facing. 1.6 hectares where sun, shade and wind alternate; this is the source of the wine's cool tone. Many vines come from plantings dating back to 1910. Dominik Huber and Tatjana Peceric farm their 15 hectares on Priorat slate organically and biodynamically.

100 percent Carignan, fermented as whole clusters: infusion rather than extraction, no pigeage. This is followed by around eight months of ageing on full lees in cement. With the 2021 vintage, Dominik Huber removed oak from the cellar entirely; only neutral foudres and concrete are now used.

Cool and silky, the red fruit lined up along a present acidity, accompanied by fine tannin. On the finish, kaffir lime leaf, beetroot and olive tree, followed by thyme, rosemary and pine.

Pan-fried monkfish with peperonata, confit goose breast with red cabbage and potato dumplings, or portobello with glazed parsnip and beetroot jus.

2021 was hot and dry in the Priorat, then rain fell every three to four days around harvest, making access to the steep plots difficult. The selection was correspondingly strict; at 13.5% ABV, the wine sits right at the lower limit of the DOCa regulations.