Blending the peppery finesse of Cabernet Franc with the depth of Tempranillo makes this a wine full of character, where the expressive tannins of the grape are inescapable.
Wines based on Cabernet Franc are the exception in Spain but well worth seeking out. Here, blending with the fantastic black Tempranillo grape has given rise to dark cherry flavours and wonderful hints of pungent Mediterranean herbs.
Perhaps it is this gentle hint of herbs that makes this well-structured and balanced wine so suited to roasts of all kinds. This is definitely one to enjoy over a lunch you have no intention of hurrying; a good steak, leg of lamb or a hunk of roast beef.
This interesting young wine is a happy marriage of Monastrell with Syrah and Merlot. Lorenzo Gil, from Bodegas Luzon has a high opinion of Monastrell, saying that it 'means the same to Jumilla as Tempranillo does to Rioja. It's the character of the region'. We think he has a point. The wine has an intense cherry colour and powerful aromas of ripe red and black fruits. The taste is strong but, thanks to the influence of Merlot, still nice and fresh. An irresistible red to serve with a good meaty stew and especially good to keep at your elbow when there's a proper wood smoke barbecue in the offing.
With sweet and elegant tannins this is a classic wine from Rioja. A very well-rounded, ruby red Rioja made from the very best Tempranillo grapes and aged over one year in new oak barrels to give a good balance between fruit and oak. With a good finishing in the bottle it has aromas of mature red fruits. This is a wine with a distinctive silky style that preserves the fresh fruit and liquorice aromas so typical of Tempranillo.
