Great value red: Clos Mont Blanc Xipella 2015, D.O. Catalunya, Spain

A generous, warm climate red that overdelivers when it comes to value. And it’s not a boring, predictable one – a real winner.

A Cabernet, Samsó (a.k.a. Carignan) and Syrah blend, but forget the varieties. This is a Mediterranean red first and foremost, with an aromatics a nod towards Tuscany and Sangiovese. Dark, ripe, with balsamic, leathery notes, delivered in an old school, a bit dirty way. Broading, powerful, pleasantly tannic, but not hard, drinks quite well. It has personality and depth, too, I enjoyed it a lot.

Rating: very good to outstanding, 89-90 points. 
Price: around €9.
Stockist: Decantalo.com and many other shops in Spain and Germany.
Tasted: July, 2020.
Value: really great, highly recommended.
Drinking window: now – 2022.
Source: own purchase.