Salanques is a rich blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Carignan, and 10% Syrah. It is a vivid red cherry colour in the glass, loaded with scents of plum, ripe red berries, sour cherry, and dried herbs. It is a truly excellent red wine, representing one of Spain’s most underrated regions.
Founded in 1998 by Valenti and Ramon Llagostera, Mas Doix winery’s vineyards span the colder side of Priorat, in the cool shadows of the Monsant and Molló mountains. It can be a less-than-ideal region for vines, which usually results in characterful grapes, and is dominated by the ‘llicorella’ slate, which imparts a clean minerality to the grapes that do grow here.
The grapes at Mas Doix are harvested by hand, and these ones were plucked from vines around the village of Poboleda, with an average age of 30 years. They are fermented in a combination of French oak and stainless steel, before being aged for 14 more months in French oak barrels. The palate is full-bodied and elegant, with ripe red fruits and strong mineral undertones. You can pair this wine with vegetable tagine, red meat stews, or a hard cheese.