I hoped a bit more for the money, but this Corbieres is a good, pleasant red.
monastrell
The Monastrell that received 99 points – Casa Castillo Pie Franco 2017, Jumilla
Jumilla’s top name, Casa Castillo already got some attention in recent years, but receiving 99 points from Wine Advocate speeds up things a little more. As the high rating was published for their top wine, stocks at most online merchants quickly disappeared – but interestingly this new superstar of a wine is still available at Lobenberg’s in Germany. This was the case when I payed 77 Euros for a single bottle (not something I can afford on a regular basis) and felt lucky.
High end Mourvedre: Tempier Cabassaou 2016, Bandol
Domaine Tempier is a legendary estate in Provance, who changed history almost a century ago. It’s a fascinating story and surly the most important one when it comes to the Mourvedre/Monastrell variety, I highly suggest to read it on the Kermit Lynch webpage.
Rustic Beauty – Rafael Cambra Casabosca 2017, Valencia
What’s your main criterion when browsing through a wine webshop? Mine is variety for sure. I was looking for Mourvedre/Monastrell wines when bumped into this Valencia red. It’s a blend actually (the other players are Arco, Forcayat del arco and Bonicaire), but turned out to be a good choice.
Outstanding full-bodied red: Juan Gil Silver Label 2017
A little step up in price compared to previous Monastrells, but quality is higher, too. In other words a more serious wine and still the best value one can get for the money.
High alcohol red wines II. – Bodega Vinnessens, El Telar 2016, Alicante DOP
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.
Yet another great value Monastrell: Ego Bodegas Talento Eco 2018
If you want something bigger than the Telmo Rodriguez Al-muvedre, try the Talento Ego. Different style, but same quality, and again, amazing QPR.
Another great value Monastrell: Telmo Rodriguez Al-muvedre 2018
I’m still in love with Spanish Mourvedre, or Monastrell as it’s called down there. Real personality combined with great value, what more could one wish for.
Too much? An expensive Mourvedre from La Peira, the 2016 Matissat
Name the top Mourvedre wines in the World! Either you include blends, which have it as a dominant player or count only pure varietal wines (well, ones that are claimed to be), the list probably won’t be a long one. Produced by highly regarded Languedoc estate La Peira en Damaisela – and having a hefty price tag -, Matissat is a contender to be on that list.
Best value – Eje Monastrell 2017, Alicante, Spain
From time to time some extraordinary value appears in supermarket chain Lidl, in the form of Spanish and Italian reds from warmer, less famous wine regions. They don’t pretend to taste like expensive wines, and that’s an advantage – they are pure and honest, and as they are well crafted too, I often find more pleasure in such bottles than in many reds that cost considerably more. Like in this case. Continue reading