Following the Puglia Primitivo, here is an other genre which tends to achieve high alcohol levels: Monastrell from south-eastern Spain. According to the label, this example, the El Telar 2016 from Bodega Vinnessens has the same the alcohol content as the Primitivo (15.5%), but it looks more out of balance in comparison.
Cork in good condition, bottle was transported in cold winter time, nothing suggests bad storing conditions, yet it looks mature already, at the age of 3. With it’s tertiary aromas of forest floor and licorice, this surprisingly smells rather like an aged Tokaji Aszú than a dry red wine – but it’s pleasant if you can accept that. Smooth on attack, full bodied and polished, but the high alcohol becomes dominant on the finish, leaving nothing but a burning sensation behind. This wine is quite similar to the La Peira Matissat 2016 actually – another example suggesting that Monastrell/Mourvedre cannot handle alcohol levels above 15%.
Rating: a good wine altogether, if a bit too extreme in style. I would call it a dry dessert wine. 86 points.
Price: 17,90 €.
Stockist: Hispavinus.
Value: not good.
Tasted: December, 2019.
Source: I bought the bottle.
Drinking window: now – 2021.