'Els Esçurcons' Caranyena blend 2021

Named for the Catalan viper, Escur̤ons is a 1.9 hectare south-west facing vineyard planted by a very young Sara. It's a massale selection of Garnatxa Negra from the Cims of Porerra vineyard the Perez family is closely involved with. At above 600 metres altitude, it's grown on orange and yellow schist, which is quite ferrous with oxidised iron and feldspar. Surrounded by Maquis and Holm Oak, the vines are planted on terraces restored more than 100 years after their abandonment post-phylloxera. The full name of the wine is 'els Escur&ccedl;ons - antigues vineyes de ca l'Olives'. Orientation is south to south-west. The wine is fermented in concrete and aged half in wood, half in clay.

Fresh, with a sweet apple crunch, floral, balsamic, savoury, fresh and fine with rainwater acidity. There's very fine llicorella perfume, a thicket of bosky herbs and wild brambly berries in mountain air on the nose. In the mouth, the tumble of herbs, liquorice, sweet fennel, peppermint and briar proclaim the countryside in ringing, pure tones. The mouthfeel is of savoury roundness threaded with mineral nerve finished with a touch of spice and sweet liquorice root. The very opposite of powerful rusticity many associated with Priorat.