Bringing together René Barbier Jr, son of René Barnier Sr, renowned for his outstanding achievements at Clos Mogador, and Sara Pérez, daughter of Jose Luis Pérez Ovejero, winemaker at Mas Martinet, it’s no surprise that this estate was destined to impress. After teaming up to launch the Venus la Universal project, the young oenologist couple set themselves a new challenge. In 2001, René Barbier Jr was offered the opportunity to purchase a small vineyard of old vines in the Priorat region of Spain. He and Sara decided to take over this abandoned estate and restore it. Today, they cultivate almost ten hectares of vines, following the guiding principle of viticulture that respects the terroir, and applying traditional and organic methods. They also source grapes from several winegrower friends who share their environmental ethos. The result is a collection of authentic vintages that reflect the young couple’s love of wine and their terroir.

These Grenache vines, stretching along the charming city of Tarragona in Spain, reveal all the fine nuances of the exceptional Priorat terroir with panache. The young vines, growing on slate soils, enjoy a north-facing exposure and the shady slope of the mountain, bringing both coolness and warmth thanks to the morning sun. Sustainable, organic farming practices are adhered to in the vineyards. The estate does not use any chemicals, and all operations are carried out entirely by hand. Once the manual harvest has been completed at optimum ripeness, the Grenache Noir grapes macerate in cellars for around ten days before undergoing spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Lastly, the wine is carefully aged in cement jars before bottling.
The concentrated nose reveals aromas of red forest fruits combined with herbaceous notes and subtle mineral touches. In the mouth, the silky tannins are perfectly balanced with a velvety texture, leading to a long, delicate finish.