Review: Herència Altés Garnatxa Negra 2019 from Terra Alta D.O.

Here, I review the 2019 vintage of the Garnatxa Negra from Herència Altés in the Terra Alta D.O.

Herència Altés is located in the Terra Alto D.O. in Catalunya and was founded in 2010. 

The D.O. is located in the west of the province of Tarragona. Garnatxa is the most widely planted grape varietal here, and the D.O. covers 5,500 hectares under vine, with 45 wineries and 1,600 grape growers.

The region has Mediterranean climate with continental influence. The area has hot Summers and cold Winters, with mild Autumns and late Spring seasons. Rainfall is relatively low, and the "cierzo" wind brings cold, dry air from the North, while the "garbinada" brings warm, humid air from the Mediterranean. 

The winery has 60 hectares of vineyards located between 390 and 480 meters above sea level, which are certified organic.

All grapes are harvested by hand.

This wine is 100% Garnatxa (Garnacha in Spanish).

The vines are between 15 and 30 years old in sandy clay-limestone soil. 

Fermentation occurred with indigenous yeast after partial destemming in concrete tanks, and was subsequently aged for 4 months in 5000L Austrian oak foudres.

The wine is ruby in appearance, with notes of red fruit, leather, baking spices, rosemary, and thyme on the nose. 

Overripe plum and blackberry, as well as flint and black pepper, are present on the palate. 

This wine brings a mix of ripe fruit and minerality. A round body is met with low tannins and high acidity. 

I would recommend this be paired with braised beef and tomato-based stews.