Blau Red Blend

Blau Red Blend is a full-bodied Spanish red wine from Montsant D.O. bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2019 vintage earned 92 points from Wine Enthusiast, highlighting this entry-level cuvée from Cellers Can Blau as a serious over-performer from one of Catalonia's most compelling appellations.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Montsant D.O., Catalonia, Spain  |  Red Blend  |  Winery: Cellers Can Blau (Gil Family Estates)

Production & Heritage

Cellers Can Blau was established in 2003 in El Molar, Tarragona, by Gil Family Estates. The solar-powered winery produces only three red blends, all from estate vineyards planted with vines ranging from 35 to 50 years old at roughly 2,000 feet along the slopes of the Sierra de Montsant. The Blau blend is composed of approximately 35% Mazuelo (Carignan), 35% Syrah, and 30% Garnacha — each variety planted in the soil type best suited to it: Carignan in clay valley floors, Syrah on steep limestone slopes, and Garnacha in old dark slate soils. The grapes are dry farmed without pesticides or herbicides, fermented separately, then blended and aged in oak barriques. This site-specific approach to viticulture, combined with the region's distinctive slate-rich terroir, gives the wine its pronounced mineral signature.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe dark berries — blackberry, blueberry, and cherry — layered over dried herbs, lavender, and a wisp of incense. A toasty oak undertone emerges as the wine breathes, alongside graphite and balsamic nuances.

Taste: Entry is fleshy and vibrant, with concentrated cherry and raspberry fruit that fills the mid-palate. Black pepper and baking spice build through the middle, while round, well-integrated tannins provide structure without harshness. The wine's full body carries a meaty, powerful intensity balanced by a noticeable mineral thread running through each sip.

Finish: The finish is long, fresh, and subtly mineral, with lingering spice and dark fruit. A savory, slightly smoky quality persists well after the last sip.

How to Drink Blau Red Blend

Serve at 60–65°F. Given its weight and concentration, this wine drinks well with 20–30 minutes of air; decanting is recommended. Neat in a large-bowled glass allows the aromatics to fully develop. While primarily a food wine, it holds up well in wine-forward cocktails: a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) leans into its dark berry fruit; a Spanish Sangria benefits from its spice and body compared to lighter reds; and a Red Wine Spritzer with sparkling water and citrus peel makes a refreshing warm-weather serve that tempers the wine's power.

Best For

• Introducing a Spanish-wine curious drinker to Montsant D.O.
• Pairing with a weekend grilled lamb or steak dinner
• Building a value-driven Iberian wine collection
• Gifting to a red blend enthusiast exploring regions beyond Priorat

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Blau Red Blend taste like? Blau Red Blend is a full-bodied wine dominated by concentrated dark berry fruit — blackberry, cherry, and blueberry — with prominent black pepper, baking spice, and a distinctive mineral finish driven by the slate soils of Montsant.

How does Blau Red Blend compare to Priorat reds? Blau shares the same grape varieties (Carignan, Garnacha, Syrah) and similar slate-influenced terroir as neighboring Priorat wines, but Montsant's slightly lower elevation and more workable terrain result in a significantly lower price point while delivering comparable intensity and mineral character.

Is Blau Red Blend good for everyday drinking? Yes — it sits in a value tier that makes it accessible for weeknight meals, yet its 92-point Wine Enthusiast rating and old-vine complexity mean it punches well above casual table-wine status.

Where is Blau Red Blend made? Blau Red Blend is produced by Cellers Can Blau, a solar-powered estate winery in El Molar, Tarragona, within the Montsant D.O. of Catalonia, Spain. The appellation nearly encircles the renowned Priorat DOQ.

What foods pair well with Blau Red Blend? Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's peppery spice and round tannins. Braised short ribs match its meaty concentration. Manchego or aged Garrotxa cheese echo its Spanish roots. Roasted eggplant with romesco sauce highlights its herbal and mineral notes. Chorizo or cured Ibérico ham plays off the wine's dark fruit and smoky finish.

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

Is Blau Red Blend worth the price? Blau positions as an entry-level expression within the Cellers Can Blau range, and its combination of old-vine fruit, estate-grown grapes, oak aging, and critical acclaim (92 points from Wine Enthusiast) places it firmly in the high-value category for Spanish reds.

Why Blau Red Blend?

What separates Blau from the crowded field of Spanish red blends is its site-specific viticulture: Carignan from clay, Syrah from limestone, and Garnacha from ancient slate — all dry farmed on a solar-powered estate at 2,000 feet elevation. The result is a wine that carries genuine terroir transparency at a fraction of what neighboring Priorat commands. Its 92-point Wine Enthusiast score and Premios Zarcillo Silver medal confirm that critical palates take it seriously. For drinkers seeking the mineral depth and power of Catalonia's best slate-soil reds without the premium price, Blau remains one of the most compelling values in the Montsant D.O.