SALANQUES
MAS DOIX 2021
D.O.Q. PRIORAT • POBOLEDA • HEROIC VITICULTURE
"The harmony of the landscape: a tribute to the maturity of the old vines of Poboleda, where the opulence of Grenache and the structure of Carignan converge on soils of pure licorella."
Essence of Slate and Century-Old Vines
The Salanques 2021 Red Wine represents the freshest and most elegant side of the renowned Mas Doix winery in the Priorat. Born in Poboleda, the area with the greatest thermal contrast in the appellation, this red wine comes from steep slopes with old vines between 70 and 90 years of age. It stands out for its enviable aromatic precision on licorella (slate) soils, achieving a broad and silky mouthfeel. Buy it with fast shipping and a quality guarantee at LaCava.shop.
1. Identity Profile
Winery: Mas Doix (A benchmark for elegance in the Priorat).
Origin: Poboleda, D.O.Q. Priorat, Spain.
Varietal: Grenache (65%), Carignan (25%), and Syrah (10%).
Aging: 14 months in new fine-grained French oak barrels.
Soils: Steep slopes of licorella (dark slate).
Vineyard Age: 70 to 90 years.
Presentation: 750 ml
2. Sommelier Notes (Sensory Experience)
Appearance: Intense and radiant cherry color, high depth, with violet reflections that reveal its impeccable acidity and freshness.
Nose: An explosion of ripe forest fruits interwoven with notes of black licorice, peppercorns, and violets. A crisp minerality of graphite and gunpowder stands out, the unmistakable signature of the terroir.
Palate: Powerful and velvety entry. It offers a generous volume balanced by a surprising verticality. Noble and polished tannins that lead to a long, silky finish with echoes of bitter cocoa.
3. Wine Architecture
4. Pairing and Serving Ritual
Haute Cuisine: Ideal to accompany stone-grilled red meats, rack of lamb with Provençal herbs, or Beef Wellington.
Game and Stews: Sublime pairing with wild boar stews, partridge with chocolate, or large game dishes that require structure.
Character Cheeses: Aged sheep's milk cheeses, such as Idiazábal or aged Manchego, and blue cheeses of great finesse.
Serving Protocol: Serve between 16°C and 18°C. Decanting for at least 60 minutes is essential to allow the Carignan and the licorella soil to open up fully.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is the 'licorella' soil so important in Salanques?
Licorella (slate) is the soul of the Priorat. This soil forces the roots to go dozens of meters deep, providing a crisp minerality of graphite and gunpowder that gives Salanques its vertical profile and enormous aging capacity.
How does Salanques differ from 'Doix', the winery's top wine?
Salanques seeks to showcase the freshness and elegance of Poboleda with a more accessible profile in its youth, while Doix comes from the family's oldest and most extreme plots, with a structure designed for decades of aging.
What is the optimal time to consume the 2021 vintage?
Although it is vibrant and expressive right now, its tannic balance and acidity give it an ideal consumption window between 2025 and 2036. Prolonged decanting is recommended if consumed young.