El Espectacle de Montsant 2021, DO Monstant, Spain

Jointly owned by René and Isabelle Barbier of Clos Mogador, Fernando and Marta Zamora (oenologists and teachers at University of Tarragona), and Charlotte and Christopher Cannan, Espectacle is a tiny production of old-vines Garnacha from a dramatically steep vineyard René refers to as the “L’Ermita of Monsant.” 100% Garnacha from 100 year old vines. Aged in 4,500L foudre. The 2021 Espectacle del Montsant has a bright ruby color and a very perfumed and elegant nose with no signs of excess ripeness, with 14.5% alcohol. As 2021 was a much cooler year, the wine is more elegant than ever (following the cooler years like 2014), textured and with very fine tannins. It has an intoxicating nose of red fruit and blood orange, violets and a spicy twist with pungent flavors and a finish that is dominated by violet pastille and is pungent, intense, clean and very long. It’s multi-layered, precise, nuanced and ever-changing in the glass. It has to be one of the most elegant and finest vintages of Espectacle, with the natural freshness from the year.