2014 Joan d’Anguera Altaroses

Price: $21
Region: Montsant < Catalunya < Spain 
Grapes: Garnacha
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified Biodynamic farming, 15-40 year old Garnacha vines on clay/limestone soil just 28km from the Mediterranean; foot trodden periodically for a few days, fermented with its own yeast, and aged in old barrels, then bottled unfined/unfiltered; 20ppm SO2
Winemaker: Joan and Josep d’Anguera

Certified organic and biodynamic since 2009, Joan d’Anguera –a family estate that dates back 200 years– is within spitting distance of the famed slate-soiled vineyards of Priorat. And while this region, and much of Priorat, is known for its powerful, over-the-top wines, the Altaroses is a refreshing anomaly, made in the style of the once traditional daily wines of the region, instead of in the international, points-driven mold. Josep picks early to keep the sugars low, shuns new oak and says the way he makes this wine is more of a process of infusion rather than forced extraction of flavors.  The result is a delicate wine that emphasizes texture and aromatics over body. So while you get the plush blackberry fruit of Grenache, there is also a purity and freshness to this wine that makes it so very drinkable.