PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Montsant is the mountainous appellation that wraps around Priorat in Catalonia, where the old-vine Garnacha and Cariñena grown on slate and limestone slopes make some of Spain’s most compelling, and often better-value, red wines. Josep Grau began his own winery in 2003, after returning to the land where he was born, and he describes his philosophy as being unmoved by trends or fads: “outstanding wines can be made with very little, avoiding artifice and respecting the natural language of the vineyard.” The farming follows organic principles (certified in Spain), with no herbicides or pesticides and all vineyard work done by hand.
Vespres, which means “vespers,” is his everyday red, a field blend that he calls a tribute to “the growers of Cartoixa de Scala Dei, the monks who planted these varieties over 1000 years ago.” It comes from small plots in the southern part of Montsant, between Capçanes, Marçà, and El Pla de Falset, with vines 50 to 70 years old on mainly clay-limestone soils with some stone. The blend varies by vintage: the 2020 was 60% Garnacha, 20% Cariñena, 10% Syrah, and 10% other varieties, at 13.5% ABV, and recent releases run to about 14%. The winemaking is simple and traditional: indigenous yeast, concrete fermentation, and maturation in large oval foudres, which keeps the fruit fresh and the oak out of the way. [2018 BLEND, ABV, AND VINTAGE NOTES TO BE CONFIRMED FROM THE LABEL OR IMPORTER SHEET.]
The winery’s own description of the house style is “fresh and friendly character, fruity and dynamic, with generous aromas of red fruit,” “slight touches of berries and balsamic,” and “very Mediterranean character,” with “a silky texture, fresh acidity, and elegant austerity.” Critics describe “bright and racy strawberries, red cherries, plums and licorice, with some white pepper and wild herbs,” “a juicy red with precise, well-mannered tannins, framed in a medium body,” with “excellent drinkability,” and one reviewer picked up a “scented and tangy nose with some minerals, grapefruit, and spiced berries” with “firm, dusty tannins that give it a tight grip at the end.” James Suckling and Tim Atkin have scored recent vintages 91 to 92. Another taster of the 2021 describes “a gentle blackberry and stone dust blend with notes of light black plum tea.”
It’s a savory, fresh, mineral Spanish red for customers who like Grenache, Côtes du Rhône, or Pinot Noir, and who want something with more grip and personality. It’s a good fit with lamb, beef, pasta with meat sauce, grilled vegetables, and tapas. A 2018 will have some bottle age, which should have softened the tannins.
Josep Grau 2018 Vespres is produced by Josep Grau Viticultor in the D.O. Montsant, Catalonia, Spain, from a field blend of old-vine Garnacha, Cariñena, Syrah, and other varieties grown in small plots between Capçanes, Marçà, and El Pla de Falset, with vines 50 to 70 years old on clay-limestone soils. Organic principles (certified), hand-farmed, with indigenous yeast, concrete fermentation, and maturation in large foudres. [2018 blend and ABV to be confirmed.] 750ml.
No 2018-specific scores found. Recent vintages for house-style context:
James Suckling and Tim Atkin (2022 vintage) — 92 Points each
Critic note (2020 vintage) — 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.”
Critic note (2021 vintage) — 92 Points:
“Scented and tangy nose with some minerals, grapefruit, mussels and spiced berries. Medium to full body on the palate with firm, dusty tannins that give it a tight grip at the end.”
Critic note (2021 vintage) — 91 Points:
“The flavor profile is gentle blackberry and stone dust blend with notes of light black plum tea. I also detected hints of black pepper and a touch of black licorice.”
Josep Grau (winemaker notes):
“This field blend is a tribute to the growers of Cartoixa de Scala Dei, who planted these varieties over 1000 years ago. Fresh and friendly character, fruity and dynamic. Generous aromas of red fruit. Slight touches of berries and balsamic. Very Mediterranean character.”
House-style description; 2018-specific notes to be added.
Nose
Red cherry, strawberry, and plum, with a touch of balsamic, licorice, white pepper, and wild herbs.
Palate
Medium-bodied and silky, with juicy red berry fruit, stony minerality, racy acidity, and fine, dusty tannin.
Finish
Fresh and silky, with licorice and a mineral edge.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Appellation | D.O. Montsant, Catalonia, Spain |
| Blend | Old-vine Garnacha-led field blend with Cariñena, Syrah, and others (60/20/10/10 in 2020) |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Producer | Josep Grau Viticultor (founded 2003) |
| Vineyards | Southern Montsant (Capçanes, Marçà, El Pla de Falset); 50–70-year-old vines; clay-limestone soils |
| Farming | Organic principles (certified), hand-farmed |
| Winemaking | Indigenous yeast, concrete fermentation, large foudres |
| ABV | ~13.5–14% |
| Critics | Recent vintages 91–92 points (James Suckling, Tim Atkin) |
| Style / Identity | A fresh, silky, mineral, Mediterranean old-vine red |
| Aromas & Flavors | Red cherry, strawberry, plum, licorice, white pepper, wild herbs, stone |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Serve slightly cool, at about 60-65°F; decant briefly if you like.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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