Joan D'Anguera
Joan and Josep D'Anguera are two of the most passionate wine blokes I know.
After taking over the family winery from their father - a legend of a man, the first to plant Syrah in Spain - they continued his legacy for a number of years faithfully. The success and fame of the winery grew.
Soon, however they felt the need to re-examine their viticultural and winemaking practices. They no longer drank huge, oak-and-alcohol-driven monsters. They longed for wines of purity, of freshness, of fluidity.
Monsant may not the first place you think of when these adjectives are used, but these boys will force you to rethink that. The focus is on Garnatxa and Cariñena - local varieties. Syrah, whilst still planted in the vineyard, now is only a blending component.
The vineyards are wild, orchard-like compositions, with no sign of wires or trellising. Vines are interspersed with olive and almond trees. Some sit in old riverbed. The vines range from 10 to 80 years old, and all around is birdsong and flowers. It's an idyllic place, and from them come wines of harmony and energy.
These wines are indicative of a new Spain, but are also intensely personal representations of this little pocket of Catalunya.
We're excited to share them with you... SEBASTIAN CRAWTHER MS
After taking over the family winery from their father - a legend of a man, the first to plant Syrah in Spain - they continued his legacy for a number of years faithfully. The success and fame of the winery grew.
Soon, however they felt the need to re-examine their viticultural and winemaking practices. They no longer drank huge, oak-and-alcohol-driven monsters. They longed for wines of purity, of freshness, of fluidity.
Monsant may not the first place you think of when these adjectives are used, but these boys will force you to rethink that. The focus is on Garnatxa and Cariñena - local varieties. Syrah, whilst still planted in the vineyard, now is only a blending component.
The vineyards are wild, orchard-like compositions, with no sign of wires or trellising. Vines are interspersed with olive and almond trees. Some sit in old riverbed. The vines range from 10 to 80 years old, and all around is birdsong and flowers. It's an idyllic place, and from them come wines of harmony and energy.
These wines are indicative of a new Spain, but are also intensely personal representations of this little pocket of Catalunya.
We're excited to share them with you... SEBASTIAN CRAWTHER MS