Wines Montsant Familia Joan D'Anguera - Finca L'Argatà - 2020

Familia Joan D’Anguera’s Finca L’Argatà 2020 hails from the Montsant appellation, nestled within Catalonia’s rugged northeast. This wine, bottled in the classic 75cl format, exhibits an expressive, modern approach to the region’s reds. While the precise blend is not indicated, Montsant reds typically favour Garnacha (Grenache) and Cariñena (Carignan), perhaps joined by occasional touches of Syrah or other Mediterranean varieties. The 2020 vintage was shaped by a growing season of ample sunlight and moderating winds from the nearby hills, yielding grapes of abundant ripeness yet with preserved freshness. Guided by the Joan D’Anguera family’s focus on organic and increasingly biodynamic viticulture, and gentle, respectful vinification, this cuvée is likely to reveal bright, pure fruit, subtle spice, and a supple, medium-bodied mouthfeel, underpinned by fine-grained tannins and a lively freshness.

Montsant itself arcs around the illustrious Priorat, separated only by the geography of the Serra de Montsant mountains. The region’s soils are a patchwork of limestone, clay, and pockets of slate, imparting both structure and lift to its wines. Vineyards, often perched on slopes, benefit from significant diurnal shifts that maintain balanced acidity. Historically overshadowed by Priorat, Montsant’s relative youth as an appellation (formally recognised in 2001) has not hampered the dynamism of its winemakers—many, like Joan D’Anguera, champion natural methods and the transparent expression of site.

This style of Montsant red pairs beautifully with Catalan cuisine—think grilled lamb cutlets drizzled with rosemary oil, botifarra sausages with white beans, or robust vegetable escalivada. Internationally, the wine’s balance and fragrance complement roasted poultry, herbed pork loin, or earthy lentil stews.

For optimal enjoyment, serve at 15-17°C after a brief decant, which will allow the aromatic complexity and textural finesse of Finca L’Argatà to shine. The wine should drink well now, but it has the potential to reward patience with a few years of additional bottle age.