Vinyes dels Aspres | Negre de Panses | (Sweet red wine) 2004

PV Tasting Notes

The sweet red 2004 Negre de Panses is an intriguing after dinner wine. It boasts ripe notes of scorched earth, vanilla, walnuts, bitter chocolate, and espresso, medium to full body, good intensity, and vibrant acidity which adds freshness. I do not know how these wines age, but these are similar to Maury and as such should hold in bottle for a couple of decades, this tasty example should drink well for many years. Tasted June 2008

The vineyard dates from the 17th Century and is located at Can Battle near Cantallops, the most northerly village in the Interior of Catalonia, sheltered by the Albera Mountains, the land rises and gently falls in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Vines are between 10 and 70 years old with an average age of thirty years. With some 95% of the production given over to the traditional grape styles of the region, and small amount of more modern styles, Cabernet, Syrah and Merlot have been introduced to in the last 15 years. The earth around this region is made up of granite and shale, very suitable for the production of quality grapes. Production is small, only 3,000 cases per year across seven different wines, all are unique and flavoursome.