Tasting notes:

Founded in 1935 by Catalan Miguel Viu-Garcia, Viu Manent is family owned. This icon wine is produced from centennial vines and is a tribute to Don Miguel Viu Manent, the man who conceived the wine. Deep ruby purple in hue, the wine has blackberry, dark plum and morello cherry fruit, with cigar box, black pepper and violet accents. Dry and linear in style, the palate shows lively acidity and dense, velvet textured tannins. Notes of orange zest, dark chocolate and graphite add complexity. Well-balanced with a hint of bitterness on the lengthy finish, giving a little extra grip. A perfect match for quail gumbo, New Orleans style. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)