Mas Doix : 1902 Centenary Carignan 2017

Characteristics and tasting tips for the 1902 Centenary Carignan 2017 from Mas Doix

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a deep, dense purple-red color with garnet reflections at the rim of the glass.

Nose

The bouquet reveals remarkable aromatic complexity. Dark fruits dominate with notes of plum, black cherry and blackberry. These are complemented by aromas of violet and wild herbs, accompanied by spicy nuances of cinnamon and nutmeg. The characteristic minerality of the schist comes through with touches of slate, while the aging process contributes subtle notes of vanilla, cedar, chocolate and coffee.

Palate

The attack is wonderfully aromatic, fruity and well-balanced. The texture captivates with its remarkable silkiness despite impressive power and concentration. The wine displays beautiful freshness thanks to its lively acidity, with only 2 grams of residual sugar that preserve the tannic structure. The finish lingers long, leaving a harmonious impression of dark fruits, minerality and subtle oak.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs ideally with red meats, particularly braised beef and roasted game such as wild boar or venison. It also pairs beautifully with rich poultry such as duck or turkey, as well as roast pork. For cheeses, opt for aged semi-hard varieties such as gouda. Vegetarian dishes featuring eggplant, leeks or bell peppers with Mediterranean herbs also make excellent pairings.

Serving and storage

The 1902 Centenary Carignan 2017 boasts remarkable aging potential thanks to its tannic structure, high acidity and exceptional concentration.

A centenary Carignan from the Priorat with elegant power

The estate

Mas Doix was established in 1998 by the Doix and Llagostera families, although their winemaking history dates back to 1850. Located in Poboleda, in the northwest of the Priorat in Catalonia, the estate cultivates approximately twenty hectares of vines under certified organic farming since 2016, complemented by biodynamic practices. Valentí and Ramon Llagostera now run the property alongside the Lede family, who acquired 50% of the estate in 2019. Mas Doix stands out for its preservation of centenary vines planted in 1902, just after the phylloxera crisis, and for its deep environmental commitment. The estate enjoys international recognition with several parcels classified as Gran Vinya Classificada.

The vineyard

The 1902 Centenary Carignan comes exclusively from Carignan vines planted in 1902 on the Tossal d'en Bou parcel. These centenary vines are situated between 350 and 450 meters above sea level on the steep slopes characteristic of the Priorat. The soil is composed of llicorella, a Paleozoic slate schist three hundred million years old that gives the wine its distinctive minerality. The roots of these ancestral vines reach depths of up to eighteen meters. The microclimate of Poboleda, sheltered by the Montsant and Molló mountains, offers temperatures approximately 1.5°C cooler than the Priorat average, promoting slow and optimal ripening of the Carignan. Yields are extremely low, with only 300 grams of grapes per vine.

The vintage

The 2017 vintage stood out as one of the earliest and least productive years in the recent history of Spanish viticulture. The climatic conditions produced grapes of exceptional concentration, ripeness and balance, while preserving the freshness and elegance characteristic of the Poboleda terroir.

Winemaking and aging

The 1902 Centenary Carignan 2017 is harvested by hand in ten-kilogram crates. A double selection, first in the vineyard and then on the sorting table, ensures that only the finest grapes are vinified, berry by berry. After destemming, fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks with a finish in wood. A maceration period of four to five weeks allows optimal extraction of tannins and color. The wine is then aged for sixteen months in new fine-grained French oak barrels. No fining or filtration is carried out before bottling. Production is extremely limited.

Grape variety

100% Carignan