Venus la Universale Venus Monsant Tinto 2019

Venus la Universale Venus Monsant Tinto 2019

$48.99 on 3+ (code: 3saves3)
$51.99 reg US Low

My Tasting Note: Deep ruby core, vibrant ruby edges, darker from the carignan.  The nose and palate are the most intense of the 4 wines, pronounced deeper and richer aromas and flavors, but still maintains a freshness and elegance, particularly with the palate textures.  This did not need extra time like the other wines to get in the zone.  Notes of cherry, black raspberry, and blackberry, a sweet beam of cinnamon spices (from the carignan), notes of smoke and purple and candied florals.  The palate is medium+ to full bodied, with fine grained tannin, and medium acidity.  The finish is long and lifted, outstanding!

94WA - The Cariñena 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 élevage 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 Cariñena. The tannins might need a little more time in bottle. There are 14,500 bottles of this wine. It was bottled in May 2022

This is their flagship Montsant wine, a similar blend and style to Priorat at a fraction of the price! Baby brother Mogador anyone?
Grapes: Garnatxa 60%, Carinyena 40%
Vineyard: 4 parcels of Garnatxa and Carinyena old vines located between Pinyana and Crossos. A vineyard located on the ridge with both North and South sides of clay-calcareous soils to allow slow and long ripening.
Vinification: Grapes are harvested by plots. They are selected and processed separately, but co-fermented when at all possible. Garnatxa is partial whole bunch depending on the vintage. Fermentation starts with wild native yeasts. Slight pigeage during fermentation and maceration, that takes around 21-28 days in wood tanks.
Maturation: Venus is aged in a 4500L wood vat for 6 months and 12 more months in 2500L foudres.