Venus La Universal 2020
HK$ 425.15
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The eponymous red 2020 Venus la Universal is the result of a long time working with Cariñena from limestone soils from the zone of Montsant. Because of black rot, the Cariñena is complemented by some 40% (or less) Garnacha grapes that are fermented together, all foot trodden with full clusters in oak vats with five to seven weeks of maceration then pressed and kept in the fermentation vats and then moved to oak foudres (2,000-liter ones); after that, it is kept in concrete to complete at least three years of aging. Since 2018, they have increased the élevage. They lose the fruit but gain in complexity. The Cariñena has more elegance, and the wine develops more soil nuances, truffle, damp earth, reminiscent of an earthy Nebbiolo but with some herbal notes and a peachy Mediterranean hint (I thought of some of the Cariñena from Maule in Chile too...), with a medium-bodied palate with chalky tannins. It has good ripeness, 14% alcohol and good freshness, with a pH of 3.46 and 5.5 grams of acidity. 6,703 bottles, 200 magnums and 24 double-magnum were produced. It was bottled in June 2023.
Features
Type of wine
Style
Occasions
Winery
Size
Appellation
Alcohol
14.0%
Description
There are wines that grab you from the first sip, not only for their taste, but also for the story they tell. Venus La Universal is one of them. This red wine is born in the heart of Montsant, from the hands of Sara Pérez and René Barbier, two names that resonate strongly in the world of wine. Their aim with Venus is not only to make a great wine, but to capture in a bottle the essence of femininity, earth and passion.
To achieve this, they have combined 60% Cariñena and 40% Garnacha, two varieties that complement each other perfectly. The Cariñena adds structure and depth, while the Garnacha adds that juicy, enveloping fruit. They come from old vines located between Piñana and Crossos, at the top of a hillside with clay-limestone soils, rich in humidity, which allow a slow and elegant ripening.
Winemaking
Vinification for Venus La Universal is a work of patience and precision. It ferments with indigenous yeasts, and the Garnacha is made with some stemming, which enhances its freshness. It is foot-trodden (yes, as in the old vintages) and left to macerate in wooden vats for 28 to 32 days. Then, the wine rests: 6 months in 4,500-litre vats, one year in 2,500-litre foudres and 18 more months in cement. This long and thoughtful process gives Venus La Universal its refined character and complexity on the palate.
Taste
If I close my eyes when I taste it, I imagine a rustic table in the open air, the sun going down and a dinner with friends. Venus La Universal is a wine that invites conversation, with intense black fruit intertwined with notes of Mediterranean herbs, spices and a light balsamic touch. It has structure, but also freshness, a balance that is difficult to achieve. The finish is long, with silky tannins and an echo of damp earth and truffle that makes it unforgettable.
Ideal for pairing with a good paella, a lamb stew or even a cured cheese. But, frankly, it is also one of those wines that you enjoy on its own, in a leisurely glass, while you let the night work its magic.
Shipping to Hong Kong
Estimated transit time: 3 working days.
| Bottles | Price | Complete box |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 bottles | HK$ 134.48 | 6 bottles, Free shipping! |
| 7-11 bottles | HK$ 134.48 | 12 bottles, Free shipping! |
| 13-17 bottles | HK$ 134.48 | 18 bottles, Free shipping! |
| 19-23 bottles | HK$ 134.48 | 24 bottles, Free shipping! |
| 25-29 bottles | HK$ 134.48 | 30 bottles, Free shipping! |
| 31-35 bottles | HK$ 134.48 | 36 bottles, Free shipping! |
| 37-41 bottles | HK$ 134.48 | 42 bottles, Free shipping! |
| 43-47 bottles | HK$ 134.48 | 48 bottles, Free shipping! |
| 49-53 bottles | HK$ 134.48 | 54 bottles, Free shipping! |
| 55-59 bottles | HK$ 134.48 | 60 bottles, Free shipping! |
