VENUS LA UNIVERSAL | Venus | Montsant | 2020
grenache | carignan | syrah

© We will be evaluating wines in no particular order on no particular schedule. Just stay tuned and you will never miss our reviews. If the wine is tasted more than once, the rating table will be updated so as to reflect all the new impressions and observations. We hope you will enjoy it!

Venus La Universal is more than just a winery, it represents a vision that combines agricultural traditions with innovative winemaking. Established by René Barbier and Sara Pérez, the winery operates with a deep respect for the environment, producing organic wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region. The winery’s philosophy is centered around interpreting femininity through their wines, thus creating elegant, refined, and sensual wines that aim to express feminine beauty through the art of winemaking.
Tonight we are going to review a striking wine from Montsant, the twin of the mighty Priorat, which are two of Spain‘s most famed wine regions – Venus Montsant 2020 by Venus La Universal. This wine is a harmonious blend of 50% garnatxa negra (the local name for grenache), 40% carinyena (the local name for carignan) and 10% syrah, where grenache forms the wine’s main body and structure, carinyena brings to the forefront those dehydrated red fruits notes that are characteristic to many Priorat and Montsant wine, while syrah delivers more complexity via color depth and tannin extract and forms a more dynamic finish. The grapes for this wine are sourced from the organically certified vineyards planted in the Montsant region, that is protected from strong winds by the Serra de Llaberia mountain range.

This wine is a true reflection of its environment, created only with grapes sourced from the 4 parcels of garnatxa and carinyena old vines located between Pinyana and Crossos. In order to preserve the varietal character and the essence of the local terroir, the gapes are fermented on indigenous yeasts with some stems from garnatxa, then the wine is aged in big (4500 liters) wooded vats for 6 months and then another 12 more months in french foudres (2500 liters), with additional bottle ageing time before it was deemed ready for the market release.

The Montsant D.O., located in Catalonia‘s Tarragona province, surrounds the famed Priorat wine region and features vineyards at elevations between 200 and 700 meters. Its mediterranean climate, with continental influences, brings dry and hot summers with moderate rainfall. The region’s diverse soils, including chalky clay, granitic sand, and slate, provides good drainage and contribute to the complexity and concentration of flavour in the resulting wines. The high elevation and hillside vineyards offer perfect growing conditions fro many red grape varieties, balancing warm days with cool nights to maintain fruit freshness. This region is renowned mostly for its bold reds, primarily made from old-vine garnacha and cariñena grape varieties.

color: pale & transparent garnet color
clarity: hazy garnet shades at the rim

In the glass, the wine presents a pale garnet hue, bordered by hazy garnet shades that are inviting immediate intrigue and anticipation.

intensity: pronounced & dusty-savory
fruit character: ripe & dehydrated

The wine’s olfactory profile is rich and complex, delivering a symphony of ripe and dehydrated fruit notes. In the foreground, notes of dried cherries, dried cranberries, and dried plums take center stage, paired with savory elements like old leather and cured meat. In the background, earthy tones emerge, with hints of marl and loam, subtly complemented by whispers of thyme and rosemary.

sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: long | aftertaste: seedy-crisp

On the palate, the wine reveals a well-structured and harmonious profile, ample in flavor yet delicate in its balance. The wine’s complex mouthfeel and balanced elements indicate that the wine can be enjoyed today, yet we would strongly advocate for at least 3 or 4 more years of bottle ageing, as the wine is still promising further development.

maturity: developing | drink now or within the next 3 to 4 years
verdict: great | a benchmark wine | a wine that has all the traits to become legendary

Overall, this is a voluptuous and earthy wine with well-integrated flavors marked by exuberant acidity and a nuanced touch of alcoholic warmth. The mouthfeel feels seedy and crisp, offering both texture and an engaging aftertaste. The wine’s balanced structure showcases harmony between its rich fruit character and rustic nuances, supported by a rustic delicacy – this is a wine that is mixing firmness with finesse.

This wine’s rich and complex flavor profile pairs beautifully with mediterranean cuisine, like a slow-cooked lamb tagine or herb-marinated grilled vegetables. The earthiness and acidity of the wine complements the umami and savory aspects of the dishes, thus enhancing the overall wine tasting experience. Cheers!
VENUS LA UNIVERSAL | Venus | Montsant | 2020
variety: grenache | carignan | syrah
country: Spain
region: Catalonia | Montsant
rating: 94.9

Venus La Universal encompasses 4 hectares in the Falset district, representing the founders’ commitment since 1999 to create wines with environmental respect and a distinctive personal touch. The winery’s philosophy of femininity in wine is a unique concept, seen as an exploration of elegance and sensuality.

© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation. Cheers!