Tarima Monastrell 2015

Monastrell (aka Mourvedre) is a grape that requires a lot of warmth to fully ripen and whilst it is grown in many warm climate regions its tannic, often quite rustic style means the grape tends to be used primarily as part of a blend as opposed to a varietal wine. However I have found a lovely single varietal version from Alicante in Spain that I really recommend!

Tarima Monastrell is hugely quaffable!  The esteemed Robert Parker gave this wine a mighty 91 points and whilst we aren’t talking anything particularly complex who cares when you get a wine that is chock full of juicy black fruits (plum, cherry, blackberry) and lovely sweet spices: vanilla and liquorice.  This is a rich, full bodied red with lovely ripe tannic structure and whilst the alcohol is noticeable (14.5%) it’s not unbalanced.  I’d crack a bottle open alongside a hearty stew or roast.

Tarima Monastrell is a gem of a find, easy drinking and very moorish – I bought a bottle and now wish I’d bought six!

(Available at: Majestic: £8.99 or £7.99 as a mixed 6)

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