Variety: Monastrell
Region: Sierra de la Sima, Alicante
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $20 (retail)
Winery review: Monastrell grapes are hand harvested from small plots of low yielding old vines scattered across the hills of the Sierra de la Sima in the heart of Alicante. The wine exhibits deep garnet color with flashes of violet and a bouquet of dark red cherries and leather. On the palate the wine achieves its full potential, offering notes of black berries, plums and licorice with an elegant but persistent finish.
My review: I had never heard of the Monastrell variety of grapes before drinking this wine, but I really enjoyed it. I didn't really pay much attention to "old vines" statement on the label because how the grapes turn out from year to year is dependent on the Terroir, climate changes, rainfall, etc.; old vines may produce less than younger vines, but I think it's just a way to market the perceived "rarity" of the grapes that are in the wine. I got a little bit of oak on the nose, but mostly themes of dark cherry and old, worn leather. The taste was very pleasant with hints of black berries and other bitter berries, some vanilla and oak, but mainly a theme of chewy leather. It was surprisingly tannic with a strong acid component and very earthy and old world tasting. I think this Monastrell would go well with beef or pork and maybe even a tomato-based pasta dish, such as Chicken Parmesan.
I had this wine without food.
No comments:
Post a Comment