2020 Venus La Universal BIO

Type of Wine | |
---|---|
Country | Spain |
Region | |
Appellation | Montsant (Appellation) |
Winery | |
Vintage | 2020 |
Grape | , , |
Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (14.5%) |
Drink window | 2024 - 2032 |
In stock
11 items available
Description
Sara Pérez is the wife of René Barbier, who produces the famous Clos Mogador, Espectacle, and Manyetes. Sara Pérez also heads the family estate, Clos Martinet. She also works closely with her brother, Adria, at Cims de Porrera. Her father, José Luis Pérez, a key figure in the Spanish wine world, is proud of his children. He remains active in various wine projects. Together with her husband, René Barbier (Clos Mogador), Sara Pérez owns and vinifies two superb wines at Venus La Universal. As a tribute to every small food producer from the 1920s who aspired to become great, Sara named this mini-estate Compania Universal de Vinos. There, at "La Uni," as she likes to call it, she created what she considers the mother of all feminine wines: Venus. And "Dido" is the more than exemplary daughter of "Venus." New is the Dido Blanco, a complex white wine made with Macabeo and Garnacha Blanca, partially fermented in French oak. The wine deserves some bottle aging and is best served in large glasses. Elegant, feminine wines with plenty of style.
The Venus is La Universal's flagship wine. Only around 6,000 bottles are produced, and global importers receive a small annual allocation of this fine wine. As Sarah herself describes it, the Venus is an attempt to express femininity, the earth, through a bottle of wine: Here too, they use local grapes such as Carinyena (Carignan), Garnatxa (Grenache), and Syrah, based on the strong belief that the historically local grapes belong to a terroir and yield the finest results there.
The wine comes from four plots of Grenache and Carignan, grown on old vines, located between Pinyana and Crossos. The vineyard faces both north and south (thus enjoying both warmth and coolness). The grapes are harvested, selected, and processed separately, but ultimately (and this is unique for this wine) they try to ferment everything simultaneously. The wine is fermented for a full 28-32 days in open, 500-liter wooden tanks. After fermentation, the wine is allowed to mature in a 4000-liter barrel and a 300-liter barrel (combined at bottling) for 20-24 months.
In the glass, the Venus has a sparkling ruby red color with a nose of dark fruit and spice. The palate is minerally, lush, and juicy, with a wonderful balance between fruit and acidity. This is a beautifully elegant and enveloping wine; it's truly delicious, perfect for pairing with food, especially traditional Mediterranean cuisine or a fine piece of grilled meat. Naturally, it's ethically sourced and organic, as this wine is made in the same way.
Parker (95/100) writes: " .... Amazing wines of character "
FACT: In the "Attachments" tab, you'll find the official fact sheet for this fine wine. We'll automatically send it to you when you order it. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pickup" at checkout. We're located in Dordrecht with ample parking. Click here for our address.
Specifications
Packing information | Box |
---|---|
Type of Wine | Red |
Country | Spain |
Region | Catalunya |
Appellation | Montsant (Appellation) |
Winery | Venus la Universal |
Grape | Carignan, Garnacha, Syrah-Shiraz |
Biological certified | Yes |
Natural wine | No |
Vegan | No |
Vintage | 2020 |
Drinking as of | 2024 |
Drinking till | 2032 |
Alcohol % | 14.5 |
Alcohol free/low | No |
Content | 0.75 ltr |
Oak aging | Yes |
Sparkling | No |
Dessert wine | No |
Closure | Cork |
Parker rating | 95 |
Tasting Profiles | Aards, Complex, Donker fruit, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Kruidig, Tannines, Vol |
Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 94+
Reviewed by:
Luis Gutiérrez
Release Price:
$50
Drink Date:
2023 - 2034
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.
Venus La Universal is the project from Sara Pérez and René Barbier in Montsant, where they work with nine hectares of their own vineyards plus 35 hectares from 14 growers, all certified organic and exclusively with those grapes (they don't buy other grapes). They produce 160,000 bottles. Since 2021, they have been renting the La Figuera cooperative, and the wine (Sindicat La Figuera) from there is now part of the Venus portfolio. Taking advantage of the facilities from La Figuera, they are doing other side projects (mostly without appellation), such as a Trepat, a wine with flor, perhaps a Cabernet... These Orbita Venus (Venus orbit), the things that are around Venus, will come in the future...
After a very rainy and unusual 2020 (770 liters of rain!), a very challenging year with lots of mildew, 2021 was marked by a snowstorm in January and was a cooler season with generous rain that delivered a crop for lighter wines with tension and contained alcohol. 2022 was warm and dry (only 350 liters of rain) and had multiple heat waves from May. They compared 2022 to 2015 (or 2009), a powerful year, but with less rain, both with good water reserves from the previous vintage and a great development of the plants, which were not stressed. The stress arrived in 2023. They like dry years that come with "wet feet," i.e., with water from the previous vintage. The wines are superb and feel more elegant than ever.
Published:
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Venus la universal is the project of Sara Pérez she is the wife of Rene Barbier who makes the famous Clos Mogador, Espectacle and Manyetes. Sara Pérez is also in charge of the Clos Martinet family domain. In addition, she works closely with her brother Adria on Cims de Porrera. Father José Luis Pérez, one of the most important figures in the Spanish wine world, is proud of his children. He himself remains active in various wine projects. Sara Pérez owns and vinifies two beautiful wines on Venus La Universal, together with her husband René Barbier (Clos Mogador). As a tribute to every small food manufacturer from the 1920s who wanted to become big, Sara has baptized this mini-domain Compania Universal de Vinos. There on 'La Uni', as she likes to call it, she has created almost the mother of all feminine wines: Venus. And 'Dido' is the more than exemplary daughter of 'Venus'.
René and Sara took the goddess Venus as inspiration for this project. One of their goals is therefore to "interpret femininity through a bottle of wine". This may seem like a strange choice for a bodega working out Grenache and Carignan wines in Southern Catalonia, but it makes sense once you've tasted it. These are incredibly elegant, refined, sensual expressions from the Denominació d'Origen Montsant, with understated alcohol levels and enormous texture.
The grapes for the wines come from vineyards owned by four different grape-growing families in Falset, as well as another small plot owned by Venus. You could call Venus a negociative project, but it is more correct to say that it is a partnership between these four families and René and Sara. Venus is the sole customer of these small growers, so their grapes are grown in accordance with the strict ecological standards set by the couple. The grapes for Dido come from the Falset area, from vineyards with soils based on decomposed granite called sauló. These soils are low in organic matter and contribute to the production of grapes with great ripeness and fruit aromas. The grapes for Venus come from clay-limy soils between Marçà and Guiamets. These soils promote a slow, elegant and complex maturity.
Order Venus la Universal wines online at Grand Cru wines
You can of course buy Venus la Universal wines online at Grandcruwijnen.nl, the wine trade with one of the largest wine collections in the Netherlands and Belgium, where you can order both special wines and wines for every budget. Quality products, fast delivery & reliable service that is Grand Crus!
Sara Pérez is the wife of René Barbier, who produces the famous Clos Mogador, Espectacle, and Manyetes. Sara Pérez also heads the family estate, Clos Martinet. She also works closely with her brother, Adria, at Cims de Porrera. Her father, José Luis Pérez, a key figure in the Spanish wine world, is proud of his children. He remains active in various wine projects. Together with her husband, René Barbier (Clos Mogador), Sara Pérez owns and vinifies two superb wines at Venus La Universal. As a tribute to every small food producer from the 1920s who aspired to become great, Sara named this mini-estate Compania Universal de Vinos. There, at "La Uni," as she likes to call it, she created what she considers the mother of all feminine wines: Venus. And "Dido" is the more than exemplary daughter of "Venus." New is the Dido Blanco, a complex white wine made with Macabeo and Garnacha Blanca, partially fermented in French oak. The wine deserves some bottle aging and is best served in large glasses. Elegant, feminine wines with plenty of style.
The Venus is La Universal's flagship wine. Only around 6,000 bottles are produced, and global importers receive a small annual allocation of this fine wine. As Sarah herself describes it, the Venus is an attempt to express femininity, the earth, through a bottle of wine: Here too, they use local grapes such as Carinyena (Carignan), Garnatxa (Grenache), and Syrah, based on the strong belief that the historically local grapes belong to a terroir and yield the finest results there.
The wine comes from four plots of Grenache and Carignan, grown on old vines, located between Pinyana and Crossos. The vineyard faces both north and south (thus enjoying both warmth and coolness). The grapes are harvested, selected, and processed separately, but ultimately (and this is unique for this wine) they try to ferment everything simultaneously. The wine is fermented for a full 28-32 days in open, 500-liter wooden tanks. After fermentation, the wine is allowed to mature in a 4000-liter barrel and a 300-liter barrel (combined at bottling) for 20-24 months.
In the glass, the Venus has a sparkling ruby red color with a nose of dark fruit and spice. The palate is minerally, lush, and juicy, with a wonderful balance between fruit and acidity. This is a beautifully elegant and enveloping wine; it's truly delicious, perfect for pairing with food, especially traditional Mediterranean cuisine or a fine piece of grilled meat. Naturally, it's ethically sourced and organic, as this wine is made in the same way.
Parker (95/100) writes: " .... Amazing wines of character "
FACT: In the "Attachments" tab, you'll find the official fact sheet for this fine wine. We'll automatically send it to you when you order it. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pickup" at checkout. We're located in Dordrecht with ample parking. Click here for our address.
Packing information | Box |
---|---|
Type of Wine | Red |
Country | Spain |
Region | Catalunya |
Appellation | Montsant (Appellation) |
Winery | Venus la Universal |
Grape | Carignan, Garnacha, Syrah-Shiraz |
Biological certified | Yes |
Natural wine | No |
Vegan | No |
Vintage | 2020 |
Drinking as of | 2024 |
Drinking till | 2032 |
Alcohol % | 14.5 |
Alcohol free/low | No |
Content | 0.75 ltr |
Oak aging | Yes |
Sparkling | No |
Dessert wine | No |
Closure | Cork |
Parker rating | 95 |
Tasting Profiles | Aards, Complex, Donker fruit, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Kruidig, Tannines, Vol |
Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 94+
Reviewed by:
Luis Gutiérrez
Release Price:
$50
Drink Date:
2023 - 2034
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.
Venus La Universal is the project from Sara Pérez and René Barbier in Montsant, where they work with nine hectares of their own vineyards plus 35 hectares from 14 growers, all certified organic and exclusively with those grapes (they don't buy other grapes). They produce 160,000 bottles. Since 2021, they have been renting the La Figuera cooperative, and the wine (Sindicat La Figuera) from there is now part of the Venus portfolio. Taking advantage of the facilities from La Figuera, they are doing other side projects (mostly without appellation), such as a Trepat, a wine with flor, perhaps a Cabernet... These Orbita Venus (Venus orbit), the things that are around Venus, will come in the future...
After a very rainy and unusual 2020 (770 liters of rain!), a very challenging year with lots of mildew, 2021 was marked by a snowstorm in January and was a cooler season with generous rain that delivered a crop for lighter wines with tension and contained alcohol. 2022 was warm and dry (only 350 liters of rain) and had multiple heat waves from May. They compared 2022 to 2015 (or 2009), a powerful year, but with less rain, both with good water reserves from the previous vintage and a great development of the plants, which were not stressed. The stress arrived in 2023. They like dry years that come with "wet feet," i.e., with water from the previous vintage. The wines are superb and feel more elegant than ever.
Published:
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Venus la universal is the project of Sara Pérez she is the wife of Rene Barbier who makes the famous Clos Mogador, Espectacle and Manyetes. Sara Pérez is also in charge of the Clos Martinet family domain. In addition, she works closely with her brother Adria on Cims de Porrera. Father José Luis Pérez, one of the most important figures in the Spanish wine world, is proud of his children. He himself remains active in various wine projects. Sara Pérez owns and vinifies two beautiful wines on Venus La Universal, together with her husband René Barbier (Clos Mogador). As a tribute to every small food manufacturer from the 1920s who wanted to become big, Sara has baptized this mini-domain Compania Universal de Vinos. There on 'La Uni', as she likes to call it, she has created almost the mother of all feminine wines: Venus. And 'Dido' is the more than exemplary daughter of 'Venus'.
René and Sara took the goddess Venus as inspiration for this project. One of their goals is therefore to "interpret femininity through a bottle of wine". This may seem like a strange choice for a bodega working out Grenache and Carignan wines in Southern Catalonia, but it makes sense once you've tasted it. These are incredibly elegant, refined, sensual expressions from the Denominació d'Origen Montsant, with understated alcohol levels and enormous texture.
The grapes for the wines come from vineyards owned by four different grape-growing families in Falset, as well as another small plot owned by Venus. You could call Venus a negociative project, but it is more correct to say that it is a partnership between these four families and René and Sara. Venus is the sole customer of these small growers, so their grapes are grown in accordance with the strict ecological standards set by the couple. The grapes for Dido come from the Falset area, from vineyards with soils based on decomposed granite called sauló. These soils are low in organic matter and contribute to the production of grapes with great ripeness and fruit aromas. The grapes for Venus come from clay-limy soils between Marçà and Guiamets. These soils promote a slow, elegant and complex maturity.
Order Venus la Universal wines online at Grand Cru wines
You can of course buy Venus la Universal wines online at Grandcruwijnen.nl, the wine trade with one of the largest wine collections in the Netherlands and Belgium, where you can order both special wines and wines for every budget. Quality products, fast delivery & reliable service that is Grand Crus!