2020 Mas Martinet Menut, Priorat

£19.75 inc. VAT

Rich, ripe but fresh Priorat from an exciting producer based just outside the legendary village of Gratallops.

Mas Martinet was founded in 1989 so is quite established in Priorat’s modern history. They make a number of delicious single vineyard wines that sit comfortably in the £50+ price point but their entry level red, known as Menut, is superb. It’s a blend of 40% Grenache, 20% Carignan, 30% Syrah and 10% Merlot. It’s fermented in concrete tanks and then aged for 15-18 months in large old oak barrels so there is very little influence of wood on the wine’s flavour.

Nicely packed with fruit, what you get is a wonderful, and unmistakable, defined aroma of plum, blueberry, tobacco and wild spice. These flavours explode on the palate but there is some elegance here, it’s not just a fruit bomb and the finish is quite refined. They somehow manage to balance the power and sophistication beautifully.

A big wine that needs hearty food. Pork belly, chorizo and butter bean stew would be my choice.

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