Samsó

Samsó, also known as Carignan, is a red grape variety predominantly grown in Spain, specifically in the Catalonia region. Though not as globally recognised as Tempranillo or Grenache, it holds a significant place in Catalan viticulture, serving as a staple for many regional blends.

The Samsó grape is an old-world variety, praised for its deep colour, high tannin content and flavour profile. Bearing small, dark and thick-skinned berries, Samsó yields wines with noteworthy intensity and structure. When young, the wines portray vibrant fruit flavours ranging from cherry to plum amongst an undercurrent of spice. With age, they evolve a more complex character, layering into earthy or gamey notes, alongside hints of licorice and tobacco.

In the hands of a skilled winemaker, Samsó can provide splendidly concentrated, robust wines that span an array of styles, whether part of a blend or stand-alone varietal. Wines made solely from Samsó represent a rarity, but when done, it showcases the grape’s unique nuances and its capacity for depth and longevity, often benefitting from decanting and having the potential to age a decade or more.

Despite its robust nature, the Samsó vine is sensitive to its environment, appreciating the gusty winds and warm sunshine found in Catalonia’s higher altitude vineyards. Here, it flourishes in the rocky, limestone-rich soils, delivering wines with a mineral-driven edge, countering its inherent brooding qualities with an uplifting freshness.

With changing wines tastes and the ever-present consideration of climate change, Samsó's resurgence has seen a focus on showcasing the grape's own unique qualities and terroir expression, making this once unappreciated grape increasingly relevant today.

The Samsó grape, therefore, with its story and enigmatic character, truly represents a gem of Catalonian viticulture and an exploration for those who appreciate intense, complex wines.

Buy Samsó wine below.