Bodegas Merum
Monastrell
Jumilla
Spain2006
14%
$14.00 -- Vino100, Lakeway, TX
Color: Deep purpledy-red
Nose: Cherries, spice, a little heat
Body: Medium
Front: Blackberries, tangy fruit
Middle: Cream, slate
Back: Pepper, leather
Burns clean?: Maybe
Cap: Cork
I opened this at the perfect time of year--a warm spring day, sun beaming down, a promise of more heat to come. Zinfandel fans will like this one plenty; it's not too complex, but layered and rich. It's fruity, but there's plenty of ol' Spanish earth in it, too--a little bite, then a little dirt. Tonight, like many nights, I'm eating pizza, and it's a fantastic combination with this wine.
The first Jumilla wine I ever drank was back in 1987, during a summer stay in Madrid. We were given a bottle by our generous hosts in Valdeiglesias, left over from a delicious outdoor lunch after visiting a recently-restored ancient monastery. We opened it a few days later back at our challenging quarters at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, and it was damn good. I've had a soft spot for Jumillas ever since.
Showing posts with label Monastrells. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Monastrells. Show all posts
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Monday, April 28, 2008
Barahonda Monastrell
Barahonda
Monastrell
YeclaMurcia, Spain
2004
14.5%
$9.99 -- Chapel Hill, NC
Color: Deep red with brown
Nose: Violety peat
Body: Medium
Front: Dates
Middle: Tannins, vanilla (how)?
Back: Leathery pepper
Burns clean?: Yes
Cap: Cork
Historians will notice that it's been awhile since I posted. First, I got sick. Then, I got infected. Then, I went on two rounds of antibiotics and at some point lost the ability to taste almost anything. I went a month without drinking any wine. While it's nice to know I'm not an alcoholic, I'm distressed that my taste buds basically need to be rebooted--and, of course, it's now allergy season!
But enough whining... crappy taste buds and all, I seem to be able to tell whether a wine more or less sucks or not. Tonight while paying my bills I noticed that the glue on the payment envelopes for American Express tastes like cheap Pinot Noir. So I'm back in the saddle.
This wine certainly does not suck. Apparently it was super a couple of years ago, too, which doesn't surprise me. The tinge of brown might mean it's maturing, which is good to know. It costs next to nothing, and newer vintages, though praised by certain famous tastemakers, might not break the bank either. It's chewy, spicy, and just plain old tasty.
Monastrell
YeclaMurcia, Spain
2004
14.5%
$9.99 -- Chapel Hill, NC
Color: Deep red with brown
Nose: Violety peat
Body: Medium
Front: Dates
Middle: Tannins, vanilla (how)?
Back: Leathery pepper
Burns clean?: Yes
Cap: Cork
Historians will notice that it's been awhile since I posted. First, I got sick. Then, I got infected. Then, I went on two rounds of antibiotics and at some point lost the ability to taste almost anything. I went a month without drinking any wine. While it's nice to know I'm not an alcoholic, I'm distressed that my taste buds basically need to be rebooted--and, of course, it's now allergy season!
But enough whining... crappy taste buds and all, I seem to be able to tell whether a wine more or less sucks or not. Tonight while paying my bills I noticed that the glue on the payment envelopes for American Express tastes like cheap Pinot Noir. So I'm back in the saddle.
This wine certainly does not suck. Apparently it was super a couple of years ago, too, which doesn't surprise me. The tinge of brown might mean it's maturing, which is good to know. It costs next to nothing, and newer vintages, though praised by certain famous tastemakers, might not break the bank either. It's chewy, spicy, and just plain old tasty.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Juan Gil Monastrell
Juan Gil
Monastrell
Jumilla, Spain
2004
14%
$18.99 -- Wine Pro, Paducah, KY
Color: Deep ruby red
Nose: Spicy cherry, tarragon
Body: Stout
Front: Tannins with blueberries wrapped in sawdust
Middle: Walnuts; after being open awhile it gets chocolatey
Back: Spicy oak; palo verde branches
Burns clean?: Yes
Cap: Cork
It's not quite like being in Spain. Not leathery dirt and smoked prunes and corky olives. But this wine is structured, seductive, evolutionary, and just plain tasty. We had it with chili and a spinach salad and it went well with both. What do you mean, you've never chewed on palo verde branches?
Monastrell
Jumilla, Spain
2004
14%
$18.99 -- Wine Pro, Paducah, KY
Color: Deep ruby red
Nose: Spicy cherry, tarragon
Body: Stout
Front: Tannins with blueberries wrapped in sawdust
Middle: Walnuts; after being open awhile it gets chocolatey
Back: Spicy oak; palo verde branches
Burns clean?: Yes
Cap: Cork
It's not quite like being in Spain. Not leathery dirt and smoked prunes and corky olives. But this wine is structured, seductive, evolutionary, and just plain tasty. We had it with chili and a spinach salad and it went well with both. What do you mean, you've never chewed on palo verde branches?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)