Josep Grau
Vespres Montsant – 2020
Region: Spain - Cataluña
Josep Grau
Josep Grau returned to the land where he was born in 2003 to embark on a new journey. His wines are not influenced by trends, opinion leaders’ tastes or fads. Instead, they strive to be authentic and deeply imbued with the essence: Grau is convinced that outstanding wines can be made with very little, avoiding artifice and respecting the natural language of the vineyard. Viticulture follows organic principles (certified in Spain), and is herbicide and pesticide free.
The Wine
Vineyard Profile
Small plots in the southern area of Montsant between Capçanes, Marçà and El Pla de Falset, D.O. Montsant.
- Altitude: 790 – 1210 feet
- Vine Age: 50 – 70 years
- Soils: Primarily Clay-Calcareous, some stony
- All vineyard work done by hand
- No chemical products used
Harvest Notes
- After a dry 2019, 2020 began with historic storm
- Early growing season promising
- Abundant rain in April – May
- Very careful selection of berries at manual harvest led to small crop
- Fermented in cement tanks for 2 months using only indigenous yeasts
- Aged in 2000 liter Austrian oak foudres for 14 months
- Aged in bottle for a few months
Winemaker's Notes
This field blend is a tribute to the growers of Cartoixa de Scala Dei, who planted these varieties over 1000 years ago. At Vespers, around 7:00 in the evening, farmers were given a jug of wine to take them through the following day. Fresh and friendly character, fruity and dynamic. Generous aromas of red fruit. Slight touches of berries and balsamic. Very Mediterranean character. Its silky texture, fresh acidity and elegant austerity offer a very cozy and seductive result.
Wine Summary
60% Garnacha Tinta, 20% Cariñena, 10% Syrah, 10% other varieties; alcohol: 13.5%; small plots in southern area of Montsant between Capçanes, Marçà and El Pla de Falset, D.O. Montsant between 790 – 1210 feet; mostly calcareous-clay soils with some stones; no chemicals used in vineyards; vines over 50 years; hand harvested with strict berry selection; fermented 2 months in concrete tanks using only indigenous yeasts; aged 14 months in 2000 L Austrian oak foudres, bottle aged a few months.
Technical Information
- 60% Garnacha Tinta, 20% Cariñena, 10% Syrah, 10% other varieties
- Alcohol: 13.5%
- Total Acidity: 5.3 g/l
- pH: 3.46
- Residual Sugar: 0.5 g/l
- Total SO2: 76 mg/l
Reviews
91 Points
One of the reds that he has been producing for a while is the 2020 Vespres, a blend of Garnacha and Cariñena with a little Syrah that fermented in concrete and matured in 2,000-liter oval foudres and concrete to keep the oak almost imperceptible. It has moderate ripeness and concentration for a low-yielding year like 2020 (when he lost some 65% of the crop to mildew). It’s juicy and fruit-driven, with a fine texture and fine tannins, supple flavors and a clean finish. 2022 – 2026
Josep Grau works in Montsant and Priorat, where he has new wineries from 2020, which allowed him to make some new wines. He has 14.5 hectares of vines in Capçanes, 18 hectares in Marça in Montsant and 10.5 hectares in Gratallops in Priorat and produces a total of 116,000 bottles.
© Wine Advocate, September, 2022
92 Points
Bright and racy strawberries, red cherries, plums and licorice. Some white pepper and wild herbs, too. A juicy red with precise, well-mannered tannins, framed in a medium body. Very enjoyable, with excellent drinkability. Pull the cork now.
jamessuckling.com, September, 2022
General Info
| COUNTRY | Spain |
| REGION | Cataluña |
| APPELLATION | D.O. Montsant |
| PROPRIETORS | Josep Grau |
| FOUNDED | 2003 |
| WINEMAKER | Josep Grau |
| ANNUAL PRODUCTION | 8,333 9L cases |
| FARMING (SUSTAINABLE, ORGANIC, BIODYNAMIC) | Farmed using organic principles, herbiside and pesticide free |