2013 Bodegas Volver Alicante Tarima Hill Old Vines

Bodegas Volver in Alicante, was founded in 2004 as a collaboration between Jorge Ordoñez and Rafael Cañizares. Ordoñez is a major importer of Spanish wines to the U.S., and has been highly influential in launching a modern wine revolution in Spain. He also is owner or part owner of numerous wineries in Spain. Cañizares is a well-respected winemaker involved in many Spanish winemaking ventures. The estate owns 260 vineyard acres in the appellations of La Mancha, Alicante and Jumilla. Bodegas Volver makes a large lineup of red and white wines using Tempranillo, Monastrel, Cabernet Sauvignon and various white grapes. Australian winemaking consultant Chris Ringland has consulted here, and the wines have earned compliments from reviewers.

The Levant refers to the eastern region of Spain that follows the Mediterranean coast. The word literally means the “east coast.” Officially there are two autonomous regions within Levant, Communidad Valenciana and Murcia. The appellations within the Levant are Alicante, Utiel-Requena, Valencia, Bullas, Jumilla and Yecla. Once an area where winemaking was strictly utilitarian and mostly done to satisfy bottlers of bulk wines, the region is today home to numerous innovative wine projects, including one by Australian winemaking star Chris Ringland. Red wines from this region are made from Monastrell, which is known in southern France as Mourvèdre. The reds of this region tend to be intensely purple/red, with black fruit flavors and strong tannins.