Sangenís i Vaqué
In Priorat, the region's revival in the 1980s and 1990s saw the emergence of numerous wine brands. Sangenís i Vaqué, however, has a much longer history. Monlleó is the surname of Pere Sangenís's ancestors who have cultivated vines and produced wine here for centuries, and it is also the name given to the winery's most meticulously made wines.
Carignan is the winery's signature variety, made from grapes harvested from vines more than 50 years old, and Grenache is produced on the highest terrace. The product lineup is extensive, ranging from red wines to everyday wines like Dara, as well as white and sweet wines.
Small-scale operations, the family name etched into the vineyards, and Catalan printed on the label, nothing about Sangenís i Vaqué is designed to show off.
A family name on the label
Monlleó was not developed independently by this vineyard. It originated from the ancestors of Pere Sangenís, who were grape growers and winemakers for centuries, and rather than embellishing the wine with new elements, this vineyard utilizes it exactly as it is in Clos Monlleó.
The most recent clear turning point was 1978. That year, Pere and Conxita established the Coranya vineyard, whose name is now used for one of their wines.
Planting grapevines is a slow-moving process. The vineyard planted in 1978 only began to exhibit the characteristics of old vines after several decades, and this is precisely the situation Sangenís i Vaqué finds itself in today. In other words, it is the family home that has come to embrace a vineyard that has taken root over time.
Old Carignan and the highest terraces
Sangenís i Vaqué features the vineyard name on its label, which clearly reflects this winery's philosophy. Les Roques Llises is the origin of the Carignan selection and is planted with Carignan vines that are over 50 years old.
Coranya is a vineyard planted in 1978. Lo Bancal de Granatxa is produced from the highest terraced vineyard.
The summer heat in Priorat is extremely intense, and this winery highlights a local phenomenon called the Garbinada, a sea breeze that blows across the vineyard and cools the air. Another wine, Garbinada, is named after this very sea breeze.
This wine lineup also includes regional names. Vall Por is the old name for the village of Porrera, which roughly translates to Valley of Fear.
The grape varieties
Across Priorat as a whole, Garnacha accounts for approximately 40% of the total area planted with red grape varieties, while Cariñena accounts for less than 30%; the remainder is mostly comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot. Sangenís i Vaqué relies heavily on two regional varieties.
- Carignan is referred to as Carinyena in Catalan and as Mazuelo in other regions of Spain. Clos Monlleó Selecció Carinyena consists entirely of Carignan.
- Grenache (locally known as Garnatxa) is used for Lo Bancal de Granatxa, made from grapes sourced from the highest terraces.
- Garnatxa Blanca, for the white wine.
- Macabeu, for the white wine.
Carignan is well-known for its high acidity and firm tannins, which is one of the reasons why old Carignan vines in the Priorat region are not removed but are instead highly prized.
The wines
The Red wines are:
- Clos Monlleó Selecció and Clos Monlleó Selecció Gran reserva.
- Vall Por — the youngest red and the only wine that sees no barrel.
- Coranya — from the Coranya vineyard, 50% Garnatxa and 50% Carinyena from vines over 40 years old, interplanted and picked together.
- Roques Llises — from the oldest vines at the estate, half Garnatxa, half Carinyena.
- Dara
The white wine is the Lo Coster Blanc made from macabeu and Garnatxa Blanca roughly 50/50, with a touch of Moscatell, about eight months in barrel.
And there is a sweet wine, the Simfonia en Dolç
Frequently asked questions
Where does the name Clos Monlleó come from?
Monlleó is the family name of Pere Sangenís's ancestors, who grew vines and made wine for centuries. The estate kept it for its flagship wine.
Which grape is Sangenís i Vaqué best known for?
Carignan, known as Carinyena in Catalan. The Selecció Carinyena is made entirely from Carignan grown in the Les Roques Llises vineyard, where the vines are over fifty years old.
Does Sangenís i Vaqué make anything other than red wine?
Yes. The range includes a white, Lo Coster Blanc, and a sweet wine, Simfonia en Dolç.
Are any of the wines organic?
Dara and Garbinada and Lo Bancal de Granatxa are the estate's certified organic bottlings.
