Lo Món 2019

A mature red wine that has left its primary fruit behind. Dark and settled in its maturity, calm and deep, yet threaded with a line of freshness that carries it to a lively, drinkable finish.

The parcels lie around Gratallops in the heart of Priorat, on Llicorella, the region's characteristic slate, which crumbles into glittering flakes to the touch. This soil offers almost no nutrients, forcing the roots to dig deep in search of water; by day it stores the heat that it returns to the vines at night. Trossos del Priorat, a project of the Vives family since 2004, farms 21 hectares here organically, spread across eight parcels, each with its own microclimate.

Old-vine Grenache and Carignan, complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaker Eva Escudé places the quality of the grape above the hand of the cellar master. The cellar, which Lluís Escarmís set into the natural slope of the terrain, moves the harvested grapes by gravity rather than pumping. A delicate touch of coconut points to the oak ageing, yet remains fully integrated.

Blackberry, elderberry and sweet and sour cherry come across dark and deep, grounded by beetroot, undergrowth and forest floor, together with the ethereal line of pine needles, juniper, liquorice, rosemary and eucalyptus, spiced with pepper. The tannin coats the palate, settling on tongue and teeth, and brings fine bitter notes that lend definition and length while keeping the fruit in motion. Despite its intensity, the wine remains filigree, with the freshness stepping forward more strongly on the finish.

Lo Món is the estate's flagship wine, made from the old-vine Grenache and Carignan of Trossos del Priorat.