Castell d'Encus Thalarn 2016

Case discounts (can be mixed cases)
5% off 6 bottles (£45.60 each)
10% off 12+ bottles (£43.20 each)

2016 / Costers del Segre / Spain

Syrah / 13% / organic

This is a truly exciting project from Priorat legend Raul Bobet.  While searching for suitable land in the foothills of the Catalan Pyrenees for his own vineyards back in 2001, he discovered a stunning estate at about 1000m above sea level dating back to the 12th century.  Farming organically, he planted 23 hectares of high density vines and also discovered nine medieval rock fermenters in the vineyards, embedded in the rocky hillside.  Raul restored them back to working order and ferments many of his wines in them today.  The results are incredible - pure fruit, high natural acidity, superb length and mouthfeel, and great ageing potential.  They receive much critical acclaim (Wine Advocate calls them some of the most exciting wines in Spain) and we cannot recommend them highly enough.

Thalarn is 100% Syrah and has a fragrant nose of blackberry, cherry and raspberry, with some floral hints too.  The palate is really pure, fresh and juicy, with ripe dark berry fruits, liquorice, pepper, black olive and wet slate.  Beautifully balanced, it's an elegant, silky wine, quite feminine in style with good levels of acidity and a persistent finish.  Fermented in the rock fermenters then aged for 12 months in new French oak plus 3 months in large oak vats, but you barely notice any oak at all.  It's really a very fine wine indeed from a winemaker at the top of his game.  Great drinking now but will improve further in bottle.

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