Josep Grau
Volador Montsant – 2022
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
Vineyards in Falset, Marcà and Capçanes in D.O. Montsant.
- Vineyard Area: 49.4 acres/20 ha
- Vine Age: 10 – 20 years
- Soil: Calareous clay
- Farmed following organic practices, no chemical or synthetic products used
- All vineyard work done by hand
Harvest Notes
- Hand harvested in September
- Destemmed and pressed
- 70% must transferred to concrete tanks, 30% to stainless steel
- Aged in same containers for 5 months
Winemaker's Notes
Volador is the first wine produced each vintage. This wine is characterized by its freshness and intensity of fruit, especially red fruits such as strawberries and cherries. Floral, licorice and pepper notes complements its aromatic range. It is a round, pleasant, persistent, delicate and and pure wine, and with very good acidity that makes us salivate and want to take another sip.
Wine Summary
60% Grenache, 30% Caringnan, 10% Syrah; alcohol: 13.5%; vineyards in Falset, Marcà and Capçanes in D.O. Montsant; calcareous clay soil; vine age: 10 – 20 years; farmed following organic practices without chemical or synthetic products; hand harvested in September; destemmed and pressed; 70% must ferments in concrete tanks, 30% in stainless steel; aged 5 months in same containers.
Technical Information
- 60% Grenache, 30% Caringnan, 10% Syrah
- Alcohol: 13.5%
Reviews
91 Points
The 2022 Volador is a blend of 75% Garnatxa with 25% Cariñena and Syrah, sourced from Montsant. This ripe red wine presents faint herbal tones alongside sun-kissed black fruit and a hint of mint. Dry and juicy, it features a taut texture with a mild, lasting finish. 2025 – 2034
A long-time wine lover, Josep Grau made a small fortune in finance before turning to his passion. He started in Priorat in 1993, purchasing a vineyard in Capçanes, Montsant in 2003 and setting up his winery there a couple of years later. In 2016, he returned to Priorat with the purchase of a farmhouse in Gratallops. Grau has produced wines in diverse styles over the years. Today, he crafts finely tuned reds made with Garnatxa and Cariñena, delivering plenty of flavor without stylistic exaggeration and exploring the more delicate side of these varieties.
Vinous, November, 2024
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 |