Volador 2015
Price: $14.00 (average US retail)
Size: 750ml
Winery: Josep Grau Viticultor
Vintage Year: 2015
Country: Spain
Region: Cataluña Appellation: D.O. Montsant
TASTING NOTES
Made from Garnacha, Samsó (Cariñena), Syrah and a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon, grown on llicorella (slate) and decomposed granite soils. Vines average between 30 and 50 years old, yielding a scant 1.25 kilos per vine. Aging is 50 percent in light-toast French oak, 50 percent in lined concrete. Freshness and intensity of fruit are the result.
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PRESS
Volador (2017) - "This has plenty of bright and juicy, ripe-fruit appeal on the nose with ripe dark berries in abundance. The palate has a very polished and attractively fruity feel with dark peaches and blood oranges, as well as red cherries."
92 Points James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, Jul 25, 2019
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Volador (2017) - "Ruby-Red. Ripe cherry and singed plum on the spice-tinged nose and palate. Warm and open-knit, showing good depth and repeating spiciness on the finish, which is firmed by dusty, slow-building tannins."
Josh Raynolds, Vinous, Apr 25, 2019
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Volador (2016) - "This is a real bottle of wine that is made by people. Although this isn't as user-friendly as similarly priced wines from California, it does a better job at heightening the experience of eating food. On the nose, baked blackberries and blueberries can be found. On the palate, the idea of "jammed" fruit comes to mind. It's a concentrated blend of berries with some sweetness, baking spices, and hints of cedar. The wine is medium bodied, but tries to be bigger. The finish is medium in length and has a nice spritz of acidity. Paired with a Bleu cheeseburger this wine would shine. "
89 Points Ken Hoggins, Ken's Wine Guide, Oct 6, 2018
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Volador (2015) - "A clear varietal garnacha, this wine's red fruit and flower scents meld in a rustic yet approachable texture. For grilled salchichas (sausages)."
87 Points (Best Buy) Wine & Spirits, Feb 1, 2017
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Volador (2014) - "Vivid ruby-red. Aromas of dried cherry, smoked meat and white pepper, with a subtle touch of minerality emerging as the wine opens up. Juicy and taut, the palate displays bitter cherry and rhubarb flavors and a sweetening floral pastille nuance . Closes with good tangy cut, gentle tannic grip, and a lingering cherry pit note."
89 Points Josh Raynolds, Vinous, Jan 21, 2016
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Volador (2014) - "A plush texture carries bright flavors of tart cherry, cranberry, fresh herb and licorice in this lively red. Racy acidity gives way to a tangy finish. Drink now through 2018."
87 Points Thomas Matthews, Wine Spectator, Apr 30, 2016
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Volador (2013) - "The Volador is a blend of Garnacha, Samso, Syrah and a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon. It displays a dark ruby color and aromas of fresh dark red berry fruit, slate and spice. Aged in first and second year French oak and cement tanks, it is ft on the attack with a lovely texture on the palate, good flavor, soft silky tannins and a long finish."
91 Points Michael Potashnik & Don Winkler, International Wine Review, Jun 1, 2014
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Volador (2013) - "Bright violet color. Lively, lucid cherry and dark berry aromas show suggestions of floral oils, licorice and minerals. Juicy and precise, offering tangy blackcurrant and bitter cherry flavors accented by a touch of cracked pepper. Finishes with good thrust and length and firming tannins, leaving a cherry pit note behind."
89 Points Josh Raynolds, International Wine Cellar, Sep 1, 2014
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JOSEP GRAU VITICULTOR WINERY INFO
Overview: Josep Grau Viticultor is a family project located in the municipality of Marçà in the D.O. Montsant. Currently the winery produces 100,000 total bottles of different wines, 70% of which are destined for exportation. Josep Grau is the winemaker and owner of the winery and currently oversees 26 hectares of vineyards with various soil types at different locations in the D.O. Montsant. Vine production varies, from 70+ year old vines from which production is limited to only 500 grams per vine, to 15-40 year old vines that produce 1.5 kilos per vine. From pruning to the harvest, all the labor in the vineyards is done by hand. The viticulture is organic, and herbicide and pesticide free.
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History: Varieties grown include Garnacha Blanca, Garnacha Tinta, Samsó, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. The main objective is to take the fruit, along with all its natural characteristics, from the vine to the bottle. The winery works with indigenous yeasts and minimum levels of sulfites, to ensure the maximum protection of the wine. 90% of fermentation takes place in cement tanks, while the rest takes place in stainless steel and oak. The majority of the wine ages in 2,000 liter Austrian-German oak foudres, with a small percentage in 500-liter French oak barriques.
The main goal of the winery is to make sure Josep Grau wines reflect the area of Montsant and the vintage, with complexity, personality, freshness, structure and good balance.
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