Year: 2014
Producer: Bodegas Juan Gil
Region: Jumilla, Spain
Grape(s): Monastrell
Alcohol: 15%
Body: Medium+
Dry/Sweet: Dry
Tasting Notes: Red berry fruit, spice, smokiness
Pairings: Aged hard cheeses, smoked salmon or marlin, grilled steak, veal or portobello mushrooms, foods with umami and spices such as lavender, rosemary and thyme.
Price (approximately): $13
My Musings:
Apologies for taking a week off. Hopefully you were able to locate and consume a vinous beverage nonetheless. The schedule has been packed with events from the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival last week and the annual Wine Bloggers Conference this week. Exciting times! Stay tuned for live updates during the conference with wine reviews, interviews with winemakers and a few recommendations!
This week my bargain wine recommendation takes us to Jumilla, Spain, a characteristically hot and arid subregion of Murcia off the Mediterranean coast. Here Monastrell (or Mourvèdre in France) is the shining star, producing full-bodied, complex and powerful wines. Like Cabernet Sauvignon? If so, you will likely love this.
The Juan Gil Monastrell is rich with plum and red berry flavors, spices and earthy elements reminiscent of dried herbs. A harmonious balance of fruit, oak and spice, with some smokiness and medium round tannins. A really fun wine and good expression of Monastrell. If you haven’t tried this varietal, this is a perfect opportunity at a bargain price. Although my favorite wine regions for this grape are located in southern France, the Spanish region of Jumilla is a great value Monastrell that is certain to please the palate.
Good news! This wine is relatively easy to find, even in Hawaii. I procured from Costco in Honolulu, but have also seen it at Tamura’s Fine Wine & Liquors and Fujioka’s Wine Times.
Cheers!