Altaroses 2022 Darmós, Tarragona, Southern CataloniaGrapes: 100% GarnachaProducer: Joan d'Anguera The Vibe: Southern Catalonia gets overshadowed by its famous neighbors — Priorat commands the attention, Montsant gets the spillover, and Terra Alta (where Darmós sits) gets treated as white wine country. Joan d'Anguera makes the case that the region's old Garnacha deserves a closer look. Altaroses comes from north-facing slopes where the Mediterranean influence is tempered just enough to keep the grape from collapsing into jam. This isn't trying to be Priorat. It's doing something else. The Taste: Red fruit — cherry, raspberry — with garrigue herbs and a stony mineral edge underneath. The tannins are present but not aggressive, structured enough to hold the wine together without dominating. There's freshness here that keeps it from feeling heavy despite the oak aging. The finish is clean, with a faint salinity that signals proximity to the coast. Drinks balanced, not powerful. The Story: Joan d'Anguera farms 11 hectares of bush-trained Garnacha on chalky sand at 80–100 meters elevation. The vines range from 10 to 40 years old, dry-farmed in a region that sees less than 500mm of annual rainfall. Yields average 2,000 kg/ha — low by design, not accident. Fermentation happens in concrete with indigenous yeasts; the wine moves to barrel in December and stays there through natural cold settling during winter. Certified organic by CCPAE. Bottled July 2024 after nearly two years of aging. 25 cases available. Best Enjoyed With: Serve at 14–16°C. Works well alongside roasted lamb, game, aged sheep cheese, or Mediterranean staples like paella or mushroom and legume dishes. Shipping & Delivery: For details on shipping times and costs, please visit our Shipping & Delivery page.
