60% Garnatxa, 40% Carinyena • sourced from 4 old-vine parcels on deep clay-limestone that allow long and slow ripening • spontaneous whole-cluster fermentation in neutral 4700L oak vat with some pigeage • 60 days of post-fermentation maceration • aged for six months in the vats followed by an additional 12 months in a combination of 2500L neutral oak foudres and concrete tanks • Practicing Organic
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2019
Country:
Spain
Region:
Catalunya
Appellation:
Montsant
Variety:
Blend - Other
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Practicing Organic
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | ES-VLU-21-19 | 6/750ml |
Resources
Press & Reviews
Wine Advocate
Score
94
Date
2022-09-30
"The Cari¤ena for the 2019 Venus la Universal suffered from a heat wave of extreme temperatures (up to 46 degrees Celsius) and ripening took a long time; the wine has ripeness and a bit of heat, but the wine kept very good acidity. The long ,levage of 30 months has calmed the wine down a bit, but it might require a little more time. It shows in the palate some of the sweetness of Garnacha (which represents some 40% of the blend) and the tension of Cari¤ena. The tannins might need a little more time in bottle. There are 14,500 bottles of this wine. It was bottled in May 2022."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2020
Wine Advocate
Score
94+
Date
2024-05-16
"The eponymous red 2020 Venus la Universal is the result of a long time working with Cariñena from limestone soils from the zone of Montsant. Because of black rot, the Cariñena is complemented by some 40% (or less) Garnacha grapes that are fermented together, all foot trodden with full clusters in oak vats with five to seven weeks of maceration then pressed and kept in the fermentation vats and then moved to oak foudres (2,000-liter ones); after that, it is kept in concrete to complete at least three years of aging. They lose the fruit but gain in complexity. The Cariñena has more elegance, and the wine develops more soil nuances, truffle, damp earth, reminiscent of an earthy Nebbiolo but with some herbal notes and a peachy Mediterranean hint , with a medium-bodied palate with chalky tannins. It has good ripeness, 14% alcohol and good freshness, with a pH of 3.46 and 5.5 grams of acidity."
2020
Tim Atkin, MW
Score
93
Date
2025-02-27
"A lively, citric style of Carignan with fresh plum and blackberry fruits, orange peel, violets and a touch of toast. 2024-2032"
2018
Wine Advocate
Score
95
Date
2022-10-12
2017
Wine Advocate
Score
94
Date
2016
Wine Advocate
Score
94
Date
2019-08-30
2016
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2021-03-01
2010
Wine Advocate
Score
94
Date
2015-06-28