Tarima Monastrell 2012

Spain’s Alicante region is just west of Valencia on its southeasterly Mediterranean coast where the balmy sunbathing slopes insist vines are trained as low bushes –which Monastrell takes to like I do to a convalescing brunch served after a late wedding which means they soak up the sun and are all the better for it. Think dark fruit, dark chocolates, rich and fragrant character that is kept from despair by lofty, heady floral notes. Wine like this is unique –tasting of variety, place, method and even so it does not require a Ph.D to simply enjoy; whether savoring as a midwinter glass or using this to wash down a juicy burger, this Monastrell is a savory mouthful.
Wine review by Nicholas Livingston, September 2013