Winemaker Notes
The parcel of “Guixà” has white clay and limestone soil and it is at 600m high. The altitude and the soil makes a very fine grenache with less structure and a very pronounce acidity. The field is coronate by an enormous water reserve from the irrigation community. Thanks to Lily Brick, its concrete wall is now a rural art of infinity beauty. A Venus with penetrating eyes who invites you to reflection, pause, dialog with nature and wine. A Venus who will be on the bottle in the form of a label.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The pure Garnacha 2021 Venus de La Figuera comes from a vineyard on limestone soils at 600 meters above sea level in the village of La Figuera, on very shallow soils. They do a soft vinification because the tannins tend to have a lot of grip. This matured in clay amphorae, as they removed the oak foudre to make it more streamlined. It has a complex and developed nose that transported me to the more elegant Garnacha wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Rayas? Yup!), with an ethereal quality, a floral and meaty nose with hints of brick dust and a very elegant, somewhat ethereal palate with tannins that are finer than ever. The label mentions 13% alcohol, but it's really not alcoholic at all, with the freshness from the year. This has to be the finest vintage to date. A really pretty Garnacha.
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Jeb Dunnuck
A light-bodied, earthy, compelling red, the 2021 Venus de la Figuera is made from the only red Garnatxa in the village, which winemaker Sara Perez finds to be very different than others in the area. Inspired by the likes of Commando G, it showcases the complexity of Garnatxa without the intensity, yet it’s extremely memorable in its own right, full of violet and citrus with tense acidity and a linear focus. There’s a tautness to the wine amidst shocks of black and white pepper and slate, with a finishing touch of earthy barnyard. Drink now and for another 10 years.
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
