July 2016

This expression of Monastrell is far more fresh and vibrant than the thick, heavy bottle would suggest (and not as hot as the 15% alc. would suggest), with blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, and violet leading the way, along with redcurrant, minerals, and licorice. There's a lot of oak as well, but it's hardly overbearing, and indeed the vanilla and pepper spice bond nicely with the rich fruit and floral notes on top of an underlying earthiness. Soft and pillowy, with pleasantly powdery tannins, this is yet another superb value from yet another less-heralded south-eastern Spanish appellation.