The 2007 Mas Roig is a blend of 80% Carinena, 12% Garnacha and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon from 80-year-old Carinena vines and 60-year-old Garnacha. After a long fermentation it is aged in 300-litre new French oak barrels and aged for two years in bottle. It has a crisp, focused bouquet of dark cherry, boysenberry and blueberry that is airy at first, but gains intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a pastille-like freshness and purity on the entry. There is an attractive seam of blood orange that runs through this wine from start to finish, and although it does not end in fireworks, it is very harmonious, with some lovely, edgy tertiary notes towards the broody finish. Drink 2013-2019.
Celler El Masroig is Monstant’s largest co-operative. It was founded in 1917 between grape and olive growers and consists of 300 members who tend 500 hectares of vineyard. Winemaker Carles Esolar produces admirable wines that represent good value.
Importer: Bryce McNamee, Boutique Wine Collection, Philadelphia, PA; Tel: (914) 954-6583; in the UK, www.indigowine.com