{"product_id":"josep-grau-vespres-monstant-750ml","title":"Josep Grau 2018 Vespres Montsant Red 750ml","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eMontsant 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eVespres, 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.]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe 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.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIt’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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigins \u0026amp; Craftsmanship\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eJosep 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eNo 2018-specific scores found. Recent vintages for house-style context:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Suckling and Tim Atkin (2022 vintage) — 92 Points each\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritic note (2020 vintage) — 92 Points:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“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.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritic note (2021 vintage) — 92 Points:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“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.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritic note (2021 vintage) — 91 Points:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“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.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJosep Grau (winemaker notes):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“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.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eHouse-style description; 2018-specific notes to be added.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRed cherry, strawberry, and plum, with a touch of balsamic, licorice, white pepper, and wild herbs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMedium-bodied and silky, with juicy red berry fruit, stony minerality, racy acidity, and fine, dusty tannin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFresh and silky, with licorice and a mineral edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eCategory\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppellation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eD.O. Montsant, Catalonia, Spain\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOld-vine Garnacha-led field blend with Cariñena, Syrah, and others (60\/20\/10\/10 in 2020)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVintage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan dir=\"ltr\"\u003e2018\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJosep Grau Viticultor (founded 2003)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouthern Montsant (Capçanes, Marçà, El Pla de Falset); 50–70-year-old vines; clay-limestone soils\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFarming\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrganic principles (certified), hand-farmed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaking\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndigenous yeast, concrete fermentation, large foudres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABV\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~13.5–14%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecent vintages 91–92 points (James Suckling, Tim Atkin)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle \/ Identity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA fresh, silky, mineral, Mediterranean old-vine red\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAromas \u0026amp; Flavors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed cherry, strawberry, plum, licorice, white pepper, wild herbs, stone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e750ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLamb and beef\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePasta with meat sauce\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrilled vegetables and tapas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCured meats and Manchego\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eServing Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eServe slightly cool, at about 60-65°F; decant briefly if you like.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Breakthru","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45830455689282,"sku":null,"price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0363\/8621\/files\/Josep_Grau_2018_Vespres_Montsant_Red_750ml.jpg?v=1793232666","url":"https:\/\/www.blackwellswines.com\/products\/josep-grau-vespres-monstant-750ml","provider":"Blackwell's Wines \u0026 Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}