Spanish Monastrell has experienced a resurging wave of popularity thanks to its generous character of rich, sun-kissed fruit matched by a strong savory streak and powerful structure. Known as Mourvedre in France, this Spanish native drives many of the reds around the Mediterranean coastal region of Alicante, like this delicious value-bottling from Bodegas Sierra Salinas!
Below the Mediterranean pine and oak trees of the Salinas Mountains, bushy Monastrell vines dot a dry, high-altitude landscape. Here the tradition is not to irrigate, but to rely on the vines to mature, extending their roots deep enough into the soil to find water held by the limestone bedrock. It's believed that this helps give the wines a natural balance in feel and flavor expression. Given the quality in the humble 2020 Mira Salinas Monastrell, it's easy to believe in the wisdom of tradition!
The wine has a vital inner freshness and stony sensations that ground its ebullient, suave fruit texture. The thoughtful oak aging accents the dark fruit character harmoniously with spice (like cinnamon & licorice root) and cedar & graphite nuances, while softening the robust tannins. The strong savory streak appears here as saline-mineral and olive-like, countering classic gourmand nuances of fig and cocoa. The propelling inner acidity and wash of lightly earthy tannins brings the wine to a mouthwatering, dry finish that calls out for flavorful grilled meats and veggies. The 2020 Mira Salinas is an outstanding everyday drinker at a ridiculously low price!
JEB DUNNUCK 93 POINTS - "Coming from limestone soils and all Monastrell, raised in new, second, third, and fourth-use French oak barriques, the 2020 Mira Salinas Monastrell sports a vivid purple hue and offers remarkable purity in its crème de cassis, crushed violets, spice box, crushed stone, and graphite nuances. It's concentrated, medium to full-bodied, has remarkable purity, and ripe tannins."
Below the Mediterranean pine and oak trees of the Salinas Mountains, bushy Monastrell vines dot a dry, high-altitude landscape. Here the tradition is not to irrigate, but to rely on the vines to mature, extending their roots deep enough into the soil to find water held by the limestone bedrock. It's believed that this helps give the wines a natural balance in feel and flavor expression. Given the quality in the humble 2020 Mira Salinas Monastrell, it's easy to believe in the wisdom of tradition!
The wine has a vital inner freshness and stony sensations that ground its ebullient, suave fruit texture. The thoughtful oak aging accents the dark fruit character harmoniously with spice (like cinnamon & licorice root) and cedar & graphite nuances, while softening the robust tannins. The strong savory streak appears here as saline-mineral and olive-like, countering classic gourmand nuances of fig and cocoa. The propelling inner acidity and wash of lightly earthy tannins brings the wine to a mouthwatering, dry finish that calls out for flavorful grilled meats and veggies. The 2020 Mira Salinas is an outstanding everyday drinker at a ridiculously low price!
JEB DUNNUCK 93 POINTS - "Coming from limestone soils and all Monastrell, raised in new, second, third, and fourth-use French oak barriques, the 2020 Mira Salinas Monastrell sports a vivid purple hue and offers remarkable purity in its crème de cassis, crushed violets, spice box, crushed stone, and graphite nuances. It's concentrated, medium to full-bodied, has remarkable purity, and ripe tannins."