A couple times per year, I encounter a wine that moves me, inspires me, and reenforces my wine enthusiasm in a deep way. Brothers Joan and Josep d'Anguera have produced one of those wines, and their Les Maiols Garnacha is one of the prettiest and most riveting red wines I've had the pleasure to enjoy in 2023.
"Ethereal" is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as being "extremely delicate and light in a way that seems to perfect for this world." That term beautifully sums up this gorgeous Garnacha, but don't worry, it's not too perfect for this world. You can easily acquire some at Table Wine :) I bought all 20 cases that made their way to WNC, and I highly encourage you to keep reading.
2021 Joan d’Anguera Montsant 'Les Maiols' Garnacha
Light in color but bold and giving in flavor, I could drink this all day. - Yours Truly - 94 points
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I’m going to get right to my tasting notes before I get into the nitty gritty of the producer and their ways and means. Quite pale ruby in the glass, this gives the appearance that it is going to be very light and simple. One sniff and that notion is proven wrong! I could smell this wine for days – gorgeous notes of plush cherry, strawberry, and raspberry made more complex by white pepper and floral nuances. Juicy and soft yet vibrant and dangerously drinkable on the palate, you will be amazed at how much “stuff” is going on for such a light-colored wine. Wowsers, I’m freaking out 😊
The d’Anguera’s wines are no strangers to the shop, as I have stocked them off and on over the 13 years the store has been opened. Some of you might remember their Finca L'Argata, another pure Garnacha that the Wine Advocate compared to Chateau Rayas, arguably the greatest expression of Grenache on the planet. Les Maiols is kind of like a "Baby L'Argata," if you will. At half the price of Finca L'Argata and 1/10 the price of Rayas, this is a great way to experience a more elegant and fresher style of Spanish Garnacha.
Think one part Cotes du Rhone, another part Cru Beaujolais, and add a little splash of Italian Frappato, and you'll get an idea of what this is all about. From biodynamically and organically farmed vineyards in Montsant, just south of Priorat, this is fermented in concrete with native yeasts, minimal sulfur additions, and minimal fining and filtration. You could call it a natural wine for sure, but I prefer to just call it a delicious wine.
A perfect "cellar protector," a wine you can happily drink now while your Chateauneufs and Priorats age, it is truly a joyful glass of wine made by two very gifted individuals. I highly recommend taking advantage of the volume pricing. We bought every bottle that made it to WNC for this vintage.
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Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville