Kind of OK cheap Spanish from Auchan. When it fails for is the finish… Continue reading
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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.
Entry level Priorat Grenache – Scala Dei Garnatxa 2018
Pure Grenache from Priorat. Cheap for the region arguably, but the Rhone offers much better value.
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.
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.
Not your usual Spanish Garnacha – Cuevas de Arom, As Ladieras 2015, Campo de Borja
The Garnacha from Campo de Borja I was waiting for a long time… I’m a fan of the region, following it since 2012, and while some wines like Alto Moncayo impressed me in a way, there is one thing which prevents me from really liking these wines: heavy-handed winemaking. Too much oak and acid adjustment, to be more precise.
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.