The 2010 Venus La Universal has a very mineral nose, full of iron and blood, really dominated by the Cari?ena; I don't remember any other vintage where the Cari?ena dominated so much in the blend. They are very happy with the 2010 vintage that was quite cool, delivered low pH wines with power and good acidity. The Cari?ena is planted on clay-chalk soils and the Syrah and Garnacha (which can be around 20/20 of the blend) had more clay. There is no reduction whatsoever (as I found in previous vintages sometimes); they used the Garnacha to make it more expressive and approachable when young, but it's still a very earthy wine, very much about the soils, with some of the elegant rusticity of the Cari?ena, a great Mediterranean blend full of character. There is no oak anymore in any of the wines from Venus, they have finally mastered the élevage. This is approachable now, but should be much better in a few years and it should develop more nuances and elegance. I've seen rustic Cari?enas turning incredibly elegant a decade after the harvest; a 1997 was simply superb when drank in 2015. 3,600 bottles.

Plum, currant, licorice and cola flavors show earthy and tarry accents in this firm, dense red, with balsamic acidity that sweeps the finish. A bit austere, but has personality and depth. Drink now through 2020.??–TM??Region: Spain / Montsant Select to Add