Pardas Aspriu Tinto 2015

Celler Pardas was founded by Ramon Parera and Jordi Arnan, who set out to recover the viticultural identity of the Penedès through careful work in their vineyards at Finca Can Comas. Their wines are closely tied to individual parcels and traditional varieties, but Aspriu takes a different route, coming from La Barraca, a north-facing vineyard planted on the banks of the Bitlles River. Clay, gravel and abundant stones give the site a naturally structured character, while Pardas’s restrained approach to farming and winemaking keeps the vineyard at the centre of the wine.

The 2015 Aspriu is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, fermented separately before being brought together and matured for around 13 months in French oak. Now with considerable bottle age, the wine has developed a more savoury and complex profile, with blackcurrant, blackberry and dark cherry alongside tobacco, cedar, liquorice, dried herbs and earthy spice. There is still plenty of structure, but the tannins have softened into a long, polished finish. A compelling older Penedès red for roast lamb, beef, game, mushrooms and slow-cooked dishes, and one that can continue to evolve in bottle over the next several years.