Wine of Angels. Old Catalan Carignan at the Heart of it.

Wine of Angels. Old Catalan Carignan at the Heart of it.

Le Roc Des Anges Segna de Cor Côtes Catalanes Rouge 2020,  13% ABV, 

€22.95 64 Wine Dublin, Bradley’s of Cork, Greenman Dublin, Le Caveau Kilkenny

The Segna de Cor (translates as the ‘blood of the heart’) comprises 50% Grenache, 30% Carignan and 20% Syrah. The name is (more or less) an anagram of Roc Des Anges.

Colour is a dark ruby. Very expressive aromas with fragrant scents of dark cherries and spices. It is lively and fresh in the mouth, light on its feet with lots of gentle cassis, smoky notes of the garrigue (herb, spice), with silky tannins and a refreshing finish. Doesn’t take long to make friends with this beauty. Very Highly Recommended.

Le Caveau explain that the relation between the Grenache and the terroir of Roc des Anges gives fruity and fleshy grapes. To balance this generosity, they are blended with old Carignan (60-80 years) and Syrah giving firm structure and dark colour and resulting in a tender and fruity wine sustained by a real texture of tannins. Matured for nine months in concrete vats in order to accentuate fruit and freshness.

Rugby fans and or those who have holidayed in French Catalonia will know of Perpignan; the Roc Des Anges vineyard is about 30 minutes north-west of the city. The biodynamic estate of approximately 22 hectares is in the village of Montner in the Agly valley (Pyrénées-Orientales, South of France, close to Spain).

The vignoble comprises old vines of Carignan (50% of the red vines) and Grenache Gris (80% of the white vines), then Grenache noir, Syrah and Maccabeu. The vineyards are a mosaic of 43 tiny parcels of land….. Everything done in the vineyard is traditional …, all bound up in the notion of respect for the cultural heritage of the region…..This is extended further into viticulture where respect for the environment is paramount.. In the cellar simplicity and authenticity are the watchwords.

Fresh and juicy, it is crafted to be an easy-going, food-friendly wine. Vibrant and straightforward, it is a great partner for rich dishes, BBQ, aperitif with friends, etc. Depending on the vintage, this wine may be labelled Cotes du Roussillon Villages or IGP Cotes Catalanes.