One of the most exciting monastrell I have ever tasted. I just realised that this is also a notable discovery of the year for Tim Atkin…
Exciting monastrell: Bodegas Cerrón Matas Altas 2021
spanish
Supermarket wines: Barcelino 2020 from Lidl
Cheap Spanish wine is getting nicer these days. It’s less common now to bump into fake ones tasting like oak chips or sweet and ripe New World wannabes. Less is often more when it comes to wine and it seems that even big volume brands recognise this, luckily. A case in point could be the Barcelino 2020 – I expected an overdone red but it’s rather pure. Continue reading
C.V.N.E. Rioja Ecologico 2020
I hoped that I would find a great value here, but there is one detail which makes it less enjoyable – at least for now. Continue reading
Supermarket wines: Tesco Finest Campo di Borja garnacha vs tempranillo
The only difference between these two bottles from Tesco is the grape variety – tempranillo versus garnacha. The latter is one of my favourites, I consume more of it than anything else, but I must admit I never was really interested in the former. However, this time I clearly prefer the tempranillo, to my big surprise… Continue reading
Lidl Cepa Lebrel Rioja Joven 2021
Juan Gil Yellow Label Monastrell 2021
Monastrell is one of the most often featured wines on this blog, and I cannot believe I have not posted about the Juan Gil yellow label yet. An amazing wine from vintage to vintage and one of the greatest buys in the world when it comes to red wines.Outstanding monastrell: Los Frailes Caliza 2020
Yet another great value monastrell: Paraje Marín Bruma 2020
A new discovery for me. I tasted many monastrells in recent years, but not a single one from this producer – a big mistake. Compared to the previous two monastrells on this blog, this shows yet another face on the variety. And what a lovely wine it is.Casa Castillo Monastrell 2021
After Castano Hecula, here is another monastrell, one with a completely different style. This is a very contemporary interpretation of the variety
Great value, as usual – Castano Hecula Monastrell Organic 2020
Bodegas Castano’s Hecula is an old favourite of mine, yet this is the first time for me to taste the organic version. It’s a bit different compared to the previous vintages, I wonder if the winemaking has changed, too, not just the grape cultivation method.