2015 Olivares Altos de la Hoya Monastrell Ungrafted Old Vines

Jumilla is in the province of Murcia, and there are 80,000 vineyard acres within the appellation. The appellation takes its name from the municipality of Jumilla and it enjoys long hot summer and cold winters, with weather tempered by the Mediterranean Sea. The land is made up of wide valley and plateaus, with vineyards mostly between 1,000 and 2,000 feet. Having been awarded Denominación de Origen status in 1966, it is one of Spain’s oldest appellations, and it has long been noteworthy for its rich, tannic, red wines made from Monastrell, the Spanish name for Mourvèdre. The other red grapes authorized under appellation rules are Tempranillo, Garnacha Tintorera, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Official white wine grapes are Airén, Macabeo, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Moscatel, Pedro Ximénex and Malvasia. Producers including El Nido and Bodegas Luzon have made Jumilla go-to appellation for savvy wine buyers looking for high quality at modest prices.

Fans of Cabernet Sauvignon appreciate Mourvèdre. It’s a full-bodied Spanish native. It is grown prominently in Bandol, France, Paso Robles, CA and many other regions. It is often blended with Grenache and Syrah and can be used to make rosé and port-style wines.