2018 Les Manyes, Terroir Al Límit, Priorat
Le Manyes is situated at the top of a monastery in the village of Scala Dei, 800 meters up the high slopes of the Montsant mountains, and is considered akin to a Grand Cru site in Priorat. The grape is Garnacha Peluda, which literally translates as ‘hairy Garnacha’, a rare variant of the region’s more popular Garnacha Tinta. This variant has a fine downy fuzz on the underside of their leaves that conserves moisture in the blazing heat - allowing them to thrive even in this hot and challenging climate. Lower sugar levels also mean lower alcohol levels. The result is a bright, vibrant and elegant style with depth and concentration without excessive warmth or maturity to the fruit. There’s minerality and salinity on the finish as well as smoky notes, fragrant black cherry fruit and complex savoury herb flavours.