AT Roca "Rosat Reserva" Catalonia, Spain 2022

FROM JOSE PASTOR:

THE WINE: This vintage dated, sparkling rosé is made from equal parts Macabeu and Garnatxa. The Garnatxa is gently macerated with its skins for 9-12 hours, giving the wine a very pale pink hue. The Macabeu for this wine comes from the Massís del Garraf subzone, grown in calcareous gravel soils at 320-420m elevation, whereas the Garnatxa comes from a lower area in Conca de l’Anoia where the soil is more clay-calcareous. Primary fermentation is in stainless steel using natural yeasts, and then aged sur lie for a minimum of 20 months and bottled with zero dosage. Disgorgement date listed on the back label.

THE PRODUCER: Agustí Torello Roca and his father and aunt, Agustí Torello Sibill and Lali Torello Sibill, founded AT Roca in 2013, with a focus on vineyards and wines with a sense of place. Their mission is to showcase their region: the eastern part of Penedès near the Massís del Garraf and the foothills of the d’Ordal mountains. The estate farms its own vines and works with three growers, all of which are certified organic, and they only work with indigenous Catalan grape varieties, with a focus on Macabeu. AT Roca is part of a growing movement to change the way people view Penedès sparkling wines and to start recognizing the uniqueness of this terroir. A growing number of wineries have chosen to no longer associate themselves with the Cava DO, and have formed their own organizations with more stringent requirements such as aging and farming practices.