We were floored by this truly sophisticated tasting wine that costs so little money. Old word fans, take note! You will want this at hand as the Fall season approaches.
The wine comes from Alicante, a charming harbor town in southeastern Spain. It is a lesser-known wine region compared to Rioja, but it brings excellent value and amazing quality wines. The winemaking family “Primitivo Quiles” (not to be confused with the grape primitivo) has been around wine for over 200 years, and looking at their label, not much has been changed since then!
This thick-skinned heavy-duty grape has been growing, uninterrupted, in southeast Spain since the 15th century. The Quiles family make their youngest (Joven), the "Cono 4" from 100% Monastrell (a.k.a: Mouvedre) from vines ranging in age from 50 to an incredible 110 years old. The Primitivo Quiles “Cono 4” was fermented and aged in 80 year old oak foudres. Monastrell can be big, dense and tarry, but this is a gentleman’s Monastrell with elegant fruit and lacking in harsh edges.
Think of this wine as a cross between an aged French Bandol, and a traditionally styled Rioja with a core of dusty plum, figs, and cherry fruit. It is rustic, with mild dark fruit and a seamless finish. The most impressive and memorable thing about of this wine is its texture. It is both rustic and velvet, the tannins are present and provide structure, but are so gentle and soothing. A truly great find!
Garnet color with a pinkish rim, this is a medium-bodied wine with aromas of dark chocolate, raisins, figs, fall leaves. On the palate is brambly fruit, wild herbs, and earth, with dark plum, figs, and warm berry compote. Although aromatically this wine has many sweet characteristics, this a dry wine. The savory dark-fruited palate also boasts balanced acidity, good minerality, and subtle orange peel on the finish. Super-soft tannins and medium acidity, provide this wine with a gentle pleasing finish. This is a comforting wine to be had with braised meat, roast pork, Cassoulet or English Cheddar.
The wine comes from Alicante, a charming harbor town in southeastern Spain. It is a lesser-known wine region compared to Rioja, but it brings excellent value and amazing quality wines. The winemaking family “Primitivo Quiles” (not to be confused with the grape primitivo) has been around wine for over 200 years, and looking at their label, not much has been changed since then!
This thick-skinned heavy-duty grape has been growing, uninterrupted, in southeast Spain since the 15th century. The Quiles family make their youngest (Joven), the "Cono 4" from 100% Monastrell (a.k.a: Mouvedre) from vines ranging in age from 50 to an incredible 110 years old. The Primitivo Quiles “Cono 4” was fermented and aged in 80 year old oak foudres. Monastrell can be big, dense and tarry, but this is a gentleman’s Monastrell with elegant fruit and lacking in harsh edges.
Think of this wine as a cross between an aged French Bandol, and a traditionally styled Rioja with a core of dusty plum, figs, and cherry fruit. It is rustic, with mild dark fruit and a seamless finish. The most impressive and memorable thing about of this wine is its texture. It is both rustic and velvet, the tannins are present and provide structure, but are so gentle and soothing. A truly great find!
Garnet color with a pinkish rim, this is a medium-bodied wine with aromas of dark chocolate, raisins, figs, fall leaves. On the palate is brambly fruit, wild herbs, and earth, with dark plum, figs, and warm berry compote. Although aromatically this wine has many sweet characteristics, this a dry wine. The savory dark-fruited palate also boasts balanced acidity, good minerality, and subtle orange peel on the finish. Super-soft tannins and medium acidity, provide this wine with a gentle pleasing finish. This is a comforting wine to be had with braised meat, roast pork, Cassoulet or English Cheddar.