Acustic Red

Acustic Red is a 750ml, 15% ABV red wine from Spain's Montsant DO, blending old-vine Garnacha and Cariñena. The 2017 vintage earned 96 points and a "Best Buy" designation from Wine & Spirits Magazine, placing it among the most respected values in Spanish wine.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15%  |  Origin: Montsant DO, Catalonia, Spain  |  Blend: 70% Cariñena, 30% Garnacha  |  Winery: Acustic Celler

Production & Heritage

Acustic Celler operates in the Montsant denomination, the appellation that encircles the prestigious Priorat region in Catalonia. The fruit for Acustic Red is sourced from native vineyards ranging from 35 to 65 years old, planted to indigenous Cariñena and Garnacha. After harvest, the grapes undergo a 15-day cold maceration before fermentation and malolactic conversion take place in second-year French oak barrels. The wine then ages for 10 to 11 months in the same vessels and is bottled without fining or filtration, preserving the full texture and character of the fruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with juicy cranberry and mulberry, layered with spice box, dried flowers, and a balsamic undertone. A subtle earthy quality — characteristic of old-vine Montsant fruit — emerges as the wine breathes.

Taste: The entry is ripe and generous, leading with dark cherry and wild berry fruit. At mid-palate, a delicate minerality and Mediterranean garrigue — rosemary, thyme, scrubland — add savory complexity. Robust tannins provide structure without overwhelming the fruit, supported by firm, well-integrated acidity.

Finish: The finish is long and persistent, carrying echoes of black cherry, crushed stone, and warm spice. A fine-grained tannic grip lingers, inviting another sip.

How to Drink Acustic Red

Pour it into a large-bowled glass and allow 20 to 30 minutes of air — decanting rewards patience with this unfiltered wine. Serve at cellar temperature, around 60–64°F. Its bold structure and fruit depth also make it an excellent base for a Sangria Rioja-style, where the dark fruit and spice carry through citrus and brandy. Try it in a Kalimotxo riff for a Spanish street-culture experience, or use it in a red wine reduction for braised lamb, where the concentrated berry and herbal notes translate beautifully to the kitchen.

Best For

• Introducing a Spanish-wine enthusiast to the Montsant region
• Pairing with a hearty weekend charcuterie and aged cheese board
• Gifting a wine lover who appreciates old-vine, terroir-driven reds
• Anchoring a comparative tasting of Montsant versus Priorat expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Acustic Red taste like? Acustic Red delivers ripe dark cherry and wild berry fruit, layered with mineral, Mediterranean herb, and spice-box complexity. Robust tannins and bright acidity give it a structured, full-bodied character with a long, savory finish.

How does Acustic Red compare to Priorat wines? Montsant surrounds the Priorat DO and shares the same primary grape varieties — Garnacha and Cariñena — along with similar slate-influenced soils. Acustic Red delivers much of the power and mineral complexity associated with Priorat but at a significantly more accessible price tier, which is why Wine & Spirits Magazine tagged it as a "Best Buy."

Is Acustic Red good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its concentrated old-vine fruit, layered aromatics, and structured tannins make it a compelling wine to drink on its own, especially after a short decant to let the unfiltered wine fully open.

Where is Acustic Red made? Acustic Red is produced by Acustic Celler in the Montsant DO, a wine region in the province of Tarragona, Catalonia, northeastern Spain. The appellation forms a ring around the more famous Priorat zone.

What foods pair well with Acustic Red? Grilled lamb chops work beautifully, as the wine's herbal and mineral notes mirror the char and richness of the meat. Manchego or aged Garrotxa cheese highlight the spice and fruit. Beef short ribs braised with tomato and rosemary echo the wine's Mediterranean character. Wild mushroom risotto draws out the earthy undertones. Cured chorizo and jamón ibérico match the wine's bold structure.

What sizes does Acustic Red come in? Acustic Red is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Acustic Red worth the price? Acustic Red positions firmly in the mid-range value tier, delivering old-vine concentration and French-oak aging at a fraction of what comparable Priorat bottlings typically cost. Its 96-point score from Wine & Spirits Magazine, paired with a "Best Buy" tag, underscores its strong quality-to-price ratio.

Why Acustic Red?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of Spanish reds is specificity: fruit from 35- to 65-year-old native vines, a Cariñena-dominant blend uncommon for the region, and a hands-off winemaking approach that skips both fining and filtration. The result is a wine that captures the rocky, sun-baked terroir of Montsant with unusual transparency. Multiple vintages have earned critical acclaim — 96 points from Wine & Spirits, 92 from the Peñín Guide, 90 from Wine Advocate, and a Gold medal at the Berlin Wine Trophy — demonstrating consistency across harvests. For anyone seeking old-vine Spanish character without the Priorat premium, Acustic Red is one of the most credible options available.