Vespres Montsant

Vespres Montsant is a Grenache-based red blend from DO Montsant, Catalonia, Spain, bottled at 14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 92 points by James Suckling and 92 points by Tim Atkin for the 2022 vintage, this bottling from Josep Grau Viticultor delivers a mineral-driven, terroir-focused expression of one of Spain's most compelling appellations.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Montsant D.O., Catalonia, Spain  |  Red Blend  |  Producer: Josep Grau Viticultor

Production & Heritage

Josep Grau Viticultor produces Vespres from a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Carignan, and 10% Syrah — three grapes deeply rooted in the schist-rich soils of Montsant. Fermentation relies exclusively on indigenous yeasts in concrete tanks, a decision that preserves site-specific character from the outset. Aging runs approximately 10 months, split evenly between large-format 2,000–2,500-liter Austrian oak foudres and concrete tanks, keeping oak influence nearly imperceptible. The wine is bottled unfiltered to retain maximum texture and aromatic complexity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe raspberries and red cherries emerge first, followed by a layer of wet stone minerality and wild herbs. Beneath those primary notes sits a subtle hint of fine chocolate and a faint balsamic lift.

Taste: The entry is bright and racy, led by strawberry and red cherry fruit with a thread of plum sweetness. At mid-palate, the mineral backbone asserts itself — salty, stony, almost granitic — while black pepper and wild herb notes add savory complexity. A touch of licorice and light black plum tea deepens the peak without weighing it down.

Finish: Medium-long and textured, with lingering stone dust and red fruit trailing off into a quiet herbal fade. The unfiltered bottling contributes a fine-grained mouthfeel that stays present without turning heavy.

How to Drink Vespres

Pour this wine slightly below room temperature — around 16–17°C (61–63°F) — to let the mineral and herbal layers open fully. A wide-bowled glass helps the aromatics develop over the course of an evening. For cocktails, Vespres works well in a Kalimotxo, where the wine's acidity and fruit cut through cola's sweetness; in a Spanish Sangria, adding genuine depth and berry character rather than generic red wine filler; and in a New York Sour, where its minerality brings a savory twist to the whiskey-and-citrus base.

Best For

• Introducing a wine enthusiast to Spain's Montsant appellation
• Weeknight dinner alongside roasted meats or grilled vegetables
• Gifting someone who already knows Priorat and wants exceptional value from the neighboring region
• Building a cellar of terroir-driven Mediterranean reds

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Vespres Montsant taste like? Vespres Montsant is a bright, mineral-driven red with prominent red cherry and raspberry fruit, wild herbs, and a distinctive stony, almost salty undertone. Hints of licorice, black pepper, and fine chocolate add savory complexity beneath the fruit.

How does Vespres Montsant compare to Priorat wines? As wine critic Eric Asimov has noted, Montsant and Priorat share a similar relationship to Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape — neighboring appellations with overlapping grape varieties and terroir, but differing in price and prestige. Vespres delivers much of the mineral intensity and Grenache-Carignan character found in Priorat at a considerably more accessible price point.

Is Vespres Montsant good for sipping on its own? Yes — its balanced acidity, moderate 14% ABV, and layered mineral profile make it a rewarding wine to drink on its own, especially with a slight chill and time to open in the glass.

Where is Vespres Montsant made? Vespres is produced by Josep Grau Viticultor in the Montsant Denominación de Origen, a wine region in the province of Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain, that geographically encircles the renowned Priorat appellation.

What foods pair well with Vespres Montsant? Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's herbal and mineral notes; roasted red peppers mirror its fruit profile; aged Manchego cheese echoes its salty undertone; wood-fired pizza with mushrooms plays off its earthy complexity; and cured Ibérico ham highlights the wine's savory, peppery finish.

What sizes does Vespres Montsant come in? Vespres Montsant is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Vespres Montsant worth the price? Vespres positions as a high-value expression within Montsant, a region recognized for delivering serious, terroir-driven wines at a fraction of neighboring Priorat's cost. With 92-point scores from both James Suckling and Tim Atkin, it consistently punches above its price tier.

Why Vespres?

What distinguishes Vespres from other Montsant reds is the combination of indigenous-yeast fermentation, large-format Austrian oak aging, and unfiltered bottling — a production philosophy aimed squarely at transparency rather than technique. The result is a wine where the llicorella-adjacent terroir of Montsant speaks clearly through the glass. Its 92-point recognition from multiple critics confirms that this is not simply an affordable alternative to Priorat but a wine that earns attention on its own terms. For anyone seeking mineral-driven Mediterranean reds with genuine sense of place, Vespres stands as one of the most compelling values in Spanish wine today.