Joan d'Anguera - Monsant 'Altaroses' 2019

Ask Josep and Joan d’Anguera who they see as benchmark estates, they are as likely to site Roagna or Gramenon as any compatriot. Turning this insight inward, they’ve asked themselves not, how can we copy these wines? But instead, how can I make my land and my vines speak as expressly? The first step towards the reinvention of Celler Joan d’Anguera was the transition to biodynamic farming with certification by Demeter in 2008. Returning to the land in such an intimate manner taught them to appreciate their oldest vines – their indigenous inheritance. As each site responded to the practices of biodynamics, they discovered that what was once though of as rustic was merely abused, misunderstood or disregarded. Having reduced yields by close to 50%, they began to discover that each site had its own character – something that is now captured in each cuvée that they make.

Altaroses is Joan d’Anguera’s “village” Garnatxa made from younger vines of Garnatxa (10-35 years old) sourced from 9 hectares of vineyards surrounding their cellars in Darmós. As with all the wines made at the cellar it is fermented with whole clusters and indigenous yeasts, aged in neutral barrels and bottled unfined and unfiltered with only a tiny amount of SO2.

Producer: Joan d'Angera

Country: Spain

Region: Catalonia

Varietal: Garnacha

Appellation: Montsant

Vintage: 2019

Size: 750ml