Glòria grabs you by the balls!
A beautiful Christmas story…
Forty years ago, Glòria planted a vineyard using cuttings from old Garnatxa vines from Darmós. Glòria worked as a grape picker at the estate of Joan d’Anguera in Montsant. Originally from Murcia, she was a woman with strong personality and character.
She was also a perfectionist; everything had to be done her way, with no compromises in the vineyard.
That planting could therefore only be done with cuttings from the very best old Garnatxa vines of Finca l’Argatà, a larger vineyard from which no separate wine was made at the time, but which was already the finest vineyard of the Anguera family.
The current generation, Joan and Josep Anguera, remember her very well. They were barely 12 years old and had to help their parents in the vineyard. And there, it was Glòria who ruled.
To honour that small plot planted 40 years ago, and out of respect for their history, they named it “Vinya de la Glòria”. When Josep was recently here for our exclusive end-of-year tasting, I asked him for an anecdote about Glòria.
And there was no shortage of memorable stories. If the two boys were not working fast enough in the vineyard, she would grab… their balls!
And they ran, believe me! 😊
Jokes aside: I waited a long time for this Vinya de la Glòria 2020! Since 2022, I had the chance to taste it regularly, either at their home or at the estate. And every single time, I was deeply impressed.
Because, just like Finca l’Argatà, this wine is made in the spirit of Rayas: late harvesting between early and mid-October, very low yields, whole-cluster fermentation without destemming, ageing in large, old foudres. And then… patience.
A very Mediterranean style: structured, yet at the same time elegant, luminous, with length and complexity.
And no, I will not give scores to this wine. It is not necessary; for me, it is simply among the very best wines in my personal cellar.
Recently tasted blind next to a Château Rayas 2003, to put the comparison to the test. Together with Josep Anguera. Memorable!
Yes, the Angueras are not interested in scores. They simply do not care. They go for the real thing and are fully convinced of the quality they deliver.
They are very straightforward: if you do not like the style, then do not buy it. They will find another distributor. And after 30 years, we still follow them in that vision ! 😉
Because this is simply so good. Truly outstanding.
This belongs in your cellar.
So after 40 years, still true: Glòria grabs you by the balls! Literally and figuratively…