Tag Archives: monastrell

Bodegas Juan Gil Plata – Silver Label Monastrell 2020, Jumilla, Spain

05 Friday Apr 2024

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Medium garnet colored with high viscosity (15% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of black plum, vanilla, blackberry, game, bramble, dried herbs, baking spice, ripe black cherry and wildflowers.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium tannins.  This is a rich wine with layers of dark, ripe fruit interlaced with oak nuance, telltale game and some dried herbal notes.  It has a medium (-) length finish as far as the fruit goes, but the tannins are super fine and caress my gums for quite a while.  This is a $15 Monastrell, aka Mourvèdre that really brings value and gets 91 points from me making it a 5 star effort.  Drink till 2029 with steaks or even stews, like the Goulash I am whipping up tonight.  Salut….

Tesoro de Bullas Monastrell 2019, Bullas, Spain

05 Tuesday Dec 2023

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Deep, dark ruby with high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose of this Monastrell aka Mourvèdre, aka Mataro has medium (+) intensity aromas of game, violets, black cherry, pine needles, blackberry tart and black currants.  The palate is dry with high acidity and medium tannins.  A full body carries the ripe dark berries and gamy notes.  I get a touch of the floral violets but no pine needles.  It finishes medium (-) in length but has a nice closing.  It’s a pretty nice presentation of this grape varietal that is normally blended as in ‘GSM’.  I like it and think it’s worthy of 90 points.   For $14 it gets 5 stars.  I’m pairing it with roasted Duck and gratin potatoes.  Drink till 2027.  Salut….

Bodegas Ego ‘Infinito’ 2017, Jumilla, Spain

02 Monday May 2022

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It says that this wine is 70% Monastrell.  Learning the different names for the same grape has been challenging in my studies but I know that this Mourvedre is also known as Mataro.  There’s 30% Cab Sav thrown in for good measure.  It is a deep ruby color and has very slow moving legs that give away the 15% ABV.  The nose is rich with blackberry, black plum, purple licorice, hints of baking spice and toasty oak.  Blueberry jam is the last thing I coax out of the glass.  On the palate it is dry with medium (+) acidity and grippy tannins.  Full bodied, it gives me waves of rich black and blue fruit notes with oak influenced spices and toast.  The purple licorice turns black on the mid palate and the charcoal and toasted oak really come out.  The finish is dry from the tannins and medium in length.  This is a tasty number that will do well with grilled beef or lamb chops.  The tannins, whilst balanced, are quite powerful on the back end- this wine will last till 2030 at the least.  91 points from me for this $20 make it a no-brainer 5 star effort.  Salut….

Bodegas Ego ‘Infinito’ 2016, Jumilla, Spain

03 Thursday Dec 2020

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Dark purple and almost opaque in the glass with really long legs.  The nose is very fruity with ripe plum jam, purple licorice and cinnamon.  There’s a touch of charred oak and a hint of blueberry to boot.  On the palate it tastes of candy and black fruit salad with iodine.  Rich oak is well integrated as are the lithe tannins.  The mid palate has a pronounced dryness along with blackberries and that medicinal note.  The tannic grip hits on the long finish- it’s quite pronounced. That candy/grape bubble gum flavor is very present alongside the tannins.  There’s a modicum of acidity that may balance this wine out once the tannins mellow a bit.  For now it would pair nicely with a juicy steak.  It gets 91 points with good cellaring potential.  Drink till 2028.  A blend of Monastrell, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cab Sav. that gets 5 stars cause you can pick it up for only $17. Salut….

3000 Anos Bullas 2006

24 Wednesday Jun 2015

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An interesting blend of Old Vine Monastrell and Shiraz from the Spanish Bullas.  It’s a town in the southeast part of Spain in the Murcia region.  Nose of earth and plum jam with an initial attack of blue fruits and stone. A hint of oak and some cardamom come through. Very integrated tannins meld with the balanced acidity giving a nice mouthfeel. This wine is aging well and will go till 2018 . Back end lights up with some violets and rustic charm. An overly optimistic MSRP of $90 make it a major pass even with 93 RP points.  I found it online for $30, which makes a lot more sense.  91 points from me and 3 stars.  Pair it with some earthy game or perhaps goat cheese pizza.  It yearns for tapas as well.  Salut….

3000 anos bullas

 

Tranco Monastrell Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

08 Tuesday Jul 2014

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If you followed my last two posts you will know I went to a friend’s 50th birthday bash recently.  When we were all seated this bottle was on our table, waiting to be opened.  Our hosts had hired a private chef, waitresses and set up a whole outside sit-down dinner for 20 people.

I looked this wine up online and was pleasantly surprised.  The price is only $10, and it got a whopping 90 points from RP himself.  On the other hand, I have my own impressions.  It started out with blueberries and heat.  Lots of it.  I had to let it sit for a few minutes to blow off.  When it finally came around the blue fruits persisted with some earthiness, cherry kirsch and a touch of the wood.  Decent tannins were integrating and the juicy acidity was great. I would give this wine a cellaring life between 2014 and 2020.  We had Filet steaks with spinach and gratinated potatoes topped with scallops.  It worked for me…  At this price it’s hard to go wrong with this Spanish blend, but I am reserving points and going with 88 making it a solid 4 star wine that I may look for.  If you are throwing a party you may want to get some as well.  Salut….

franco wine monastery cabernet sauvignon