2018 Bodegas La Cartuja, La Cartuja, 70% Garnacha, 30% Mazuelo, Priorat, Spain

From: Priorat, Spain Varietals: 70% Garnacha, 30% Mazuelo (Carignan) Tasting Notes: Brilliant ruby. Ripe dark berries, licorice, smoky minerals and a hint of succulent flowers on the perfumed nose. Juicy, round and open-knit; a peppery note adds lift and cut to warm blackberry, bitter cherry and licorice pastille flavors. The long, mineral-accented finish shows very good focus and closes on a youthfully tannic note, leaving cherry pit and floral notes behind. 91 Points -James Suckling Pairing: Traditionally, my mind goes first to simple grilled or roasted meats, cured meats, or hearty lentils, but because this particular wine does show the floral and pastille notes, I think it’s also a natural choice for stronger cheeses or sheep's milk cheeses, like Manchego. Florence Fabricant’s recipe for Pork Stewed With Lentils and Celery is a wonderful pairing with its combination of richness, earthiness, and freshness from the celery. About. La Cartuja was founded in 2007 by Borja Osborne (from