R. Parker (94+/100)
They consider 2020 Safrà the more balanced vintage to date, with the help of the Arcos structure, which makes it longer and more complex. It's 70% Mandó and 30% Arcos that fermented in stainless steel vats with 30% full clusters and indigenous yeasts and matured in 2,600-liter tinaja for six months. It has 13% alcohol and a pH of 3.45. It's juicy, floral, tasty and fresh, with very fine tannins and a long, focused finish. The combination of Mandó and Arcos works quite well; the blend is serious, with structure keeping the brightness. All of these wines are incredible values. 20,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2021.
The current varietal breakdown of Celler del Roure is as follows: 13 hectares of Monastrell, eight of Garnacha Tintorera, 14 hectares of Mandó, 15 hectares of Arco, 17 hectares of red French varieties and 16 hectares of traditional white grapes. Their classical range, Les Alcusses and Maduresa, is based on Monastrell, and the wines are more structured, aged in barrique and foudre. The "old-style wines," the reds Vermell, Safrá and Parotet and the white Cullerot are more fluid and produced with old recovered varieties matured in buried tinajas. The newer range is Les Filles d'Amalia, rosés, still and sparkling. All in all, they produce 350,000 bottles.
I tasted mostly 2020s, one of the earlier harvests like 2017 and 2012 that brought healthy and perfectly ripe grapes that delivered wines with finesse and freshness. One of the finest vintages for Celler del Roure.