Domaine Boucabeille Monte Nero 2021

The wines of the Boucabeille estate are produced mainly on the Forca real hill 15 km northwest of Perpignan. It promotes biodiversity around the vine by planting forest and scrubland but also creates ponds and places dozens of beehives. The Forca real hill is made up of slate schists that date back 450 million years.
The schist allows the vine to penetrate deep in order to find all the elements it needs (water and minerals). The altitude of the vines (505 meters) brings freshness. This terroir also brings roundness and length in the mouth, as well as a lot of finesse and complex aromas.

The vines are grown on schist soils and whole-bunch-pressed. Jean Boucabeille doesn’t plough, to avoid damaging the microbial life in the soil, and doesn’t use machinery in the vineyard, in order to avoid soil compaction. Winemaking is low intervention, with spontaneous fermentation.

Força Real can look like a black pyramid, hence the name. Grapes are hand picked and undergoes traditional wine making with 15 – 20 day maceration. The wine is aged for 12 months in small barriques.

A delightfully punchy and spicy wine which is unapologetically big. It is garnet with ruby highlights. It’s a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, and its dark and brooding fruit and impressive power really jumped out, The nose reveals a gourmet bouquet of red and black fruits, floral notes and spices. On the palate, the wine is powerful and generous with a persistent and harmonious finish.