We now take the opportunity to publish notes from a tasting of wines from outside our usual area (Valencia).

Celler Masroig is named after its red soils. DO Montsant surrounds the smaller DO Priorat and is situated in Catalunya near Falset, to the West of Tarragona. The bodega grows permitted varieties, amongst them Garnacha Blanca and Macabeo, together with a rosado and reds from Cariñena and Garnacha Tintorera. The wines are competitively priced and offer a high quality-to-price ratio.( Further information about the bodega and the DO can be found following the links at the end of the post.)

The White Wines.

1. Solà Fred, Vi Blanc, (Garnacha Blanca and Macabeo 2025) Celler Masroig, DO Montsant, 13 % ABV

 A blend of 90% Grenache Blanc,10%Macabeo. Selected grapes from their own vineyards. Traditionally fermented in stainless steel vats using a cooling system. Entry-level wine.

Clean,  bright and elegant pale lemon with a steely edge. Expressive with tropical fruits, white flowers, and Mediterranean herbs on the nose. On the palate, it is fresh, pleasant, and has good acidity. Enjoyable and rounded, typical of White Grenache. Long finish.

2. Pinyeres, Vi Blanc, (Garnacha Blanca 2025), Celler Masroig, DO Montsant 13 % ABV.

Traditional fermentation in stainless steel vats at controlled temperature. Ageing with the fine lees for 6 months in stainless steel tanks. From schist soils known as ‘licorella’.

Greenish yellow colour with golden reflections. Clean and bright. Intense aroma of ripe white fruits,  notes of pastry with a soft toasted background from the lees. Fresh entry in the mouth, with good acidity. Creamy, with volume and a long finish.

3. Les Sorts Blanc, (Garnacha Blanca 2024) Celler Masroig, DO Montsant, 13 % ABV.

Old vines grown on the red clay from Masroig, Fermentation in new 300-litre French oak barrels with the lees using battonage. Ageing for 5 months in the same barrels used during fermentation.

Straw yellow colour with golden reflections. Intense aroma of white flowers, honey, aromatic herbs with soft toasted notes. In the mouth, it is fresh, but with some volume. , complex and good varietal characteristics.  An excellent example of Garnacha Blanca in Montsant. This is a very gastronomic and elegant wine.

The Rosado Wine

4. Solà Fred Rosado 2025 (Garnacha Tinta and Cariñena), Celler Masroig, DO Montsant, 13.5% ABV.

Traditional fermentation in stainless steel vats at controlled temperature. Grown on the red clay soils.

Bright pink colour with predominant aromas of red fruits. In the mouth, it is gentle, elegant, fresh and with a long finish.

The Red Wines.

5. Vi Novell, Carbonic Maceration (Garnacha and Cariñena 2025), Celler Masroig, DO Montsant, 14.5% ABV.

100%  Carbonic Maceration. A winemaking technique where whole grapes ferment at high temperatures (30ºC) without oxygen in sealed tanks, concentrating the fruity and juicy elements of the wine.

Fresh, fruity and honest wine that has an intense and bright ruby ​​colour. The fresh nose clearly expresses red fruit – strawberry, raspberry and cherry, mainly – and grape aromas with a milky background. On the palate, it shows softness and freshness, a note of stalkiness which helps with the balance, with some notes of sweetness. Well-integrated alcohol, it is velvety and has an elegant mineral aftertaste.  

6. Solà Fred Vi Negre, Cariñena, 2024, Celler Masroig, DO Montsant, 13.5 % ABV.

Traditional fermentation in stainless steel vats at controlled temperature. From the red clay soils.

Young red wine with great colour intensity. Very aromatic, balanced, with a flavour of ripe fruit. In the mouth,  it is fresh, with good volume, and with a long finish. With its hints of crème Catalan, it is a creamy and velvety example of the typicality of Cariñena in Montsant.

Conclusion

This was an interesting introduction to a selection of wines from this very good bodega and a DO new to the group. . There are different levels and ranges of wines, some of which are more expensive, reflecting the varying styles and quality of their wines. We may well revisit this bodega in the future and taste some more of their wines given their reception at the tasting!

cellermasroig.com

domontsant.com