18 meses Jumilla Monastrell Blend

Began 1916, when Juan Gil Giménez, great-grandfather of the present generation, built a winery in heart of Jumilla. Blue label spent 18 months in new French and American oak barrels. Monastrell, Cab Sauv & Syrah blend (60/30/10), low yield, aromas of red berry and toasty oak. Palate shows flavors of dark berry fruits, espresso, cacao and hints of sweet spice. Round dusty tannins, well integrated with oak, medium+ finish ending with fruit and rich earthy oaky character. Nice!

Began 1916, when Juan Gil Giménez, great-grandfather of the present generation, built a winery in heart of Jumilla. Blue label spent 18 months in new oak barrels (wine formally known as 18 mos representing time in bottle, now “Blue Label.” Monastrell, Cab Sauv & Syrah blend (60/30/10), low yield, aromas of red berry and toasty oak. Palate shows flavors of dark berry fruits, espresso, cacao and hints of sweet spice. Big dusty tannins, well integrated with oak, lingering, ending with balanced oaky character.

Dark ruby in color with a purplish rim.

Pronounce nose of blackberries, sweet cherries, black currants, cedar, earth, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, mocha, coke, earth, light vegetables, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, sweet cherries, raisins, vanilla, cedar, licorice, cloves, cola, earth, chocolates, tobacco, spices, mocha, vegetables, leather and peppercorn.

Long spicy finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

A beautiful Monastrell blend from the house of Juan Gil. Showing nice complexity and balance with a great mouthfeel. Big bold and grippy.

Good by itself or with food. Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up and shows some tannins.

I love anything Gil makes, and this is a delicious example.

Still young and could use a few more years in the bottle to mature, but already drinking very nicely.

I paired it with Brie cheese, almonds and crackers.

A blend of 60% Monastrell, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah. Aged separately for 18 months in French and American oak barrels.

16.5% alcohol by volume (watch out)

92 points.

$32.

Began 1916, when Juan Gil Giménez, great-grandfather of the present generation, built a winery in heart of Jumilla. Blue label spent 18 months in new oak barrels (wine formally known as 18 mos representing time in bottle, now “Blue Label.” Monastrell, Cab Sauv & Syrah blend (60/30/10), low yield, aromas of red berry and toasty oak. Palate shows flavors of dark berry fruits, espresso, cacao and hints of sweet spice. Big dusty tannins, well integrated with oak, lingering, ending with balanced oaky character.

Began 1916, when Juan Gil Giménez, great-grandfather of the present generation, built a winery in heart of Jumilla. Blue label spent 18 months in new oak barrels (wine formally known as 18 mos representing time in bottle, now “Blue Label.” Monastrell, Cab Sauv & Syrah blend (60/30/10), low yield, aromas of red berry and toasty oak. Palate shows flavors of dark berry fruits, espresso, cacao and hints of sweet spice. Big dusty tannins, well integrated with oak, lingering, ending with balanced oaky character.

Inky in color with a purplish rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, sweet cherries, black plums, raisins, raspberry pie, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, earth, mocha, coke and earth.

Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with blackberries, plums, cherries, raisins, vanilla, oak, licorice, spices, coffee, cola, pencil lead, leather, smoke, chocolates, mocha, earth, vegetables, vinaigrette, cloves and peppercorn.

Long finish with firm tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a great Spanish Monastrell blend. Well balanced with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel. Very fruity and jammy with light earth notes. Spicy and delicious.

Good by itself or with food. Needs an hour to open up properly and show some tannins.

Drinkable now and will age nicely in the next 5 years.

I paired it with a charcuterie board of Meats and cheeses.

A blend of 60% Monastrell, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah. Aged for 18 months in French and American oak barrels.

15.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$30.

Dark fruited. Tobacco. Baking spices. Fun blend. Nothing transcendent but very good.

Big, jammy Mourvèdre/Cab blend. Good bit of oak. Mellowing as it gets air. Good paired with leftover lamb collar from FIG!

I love Juan Gil's silver label but this one was so raisiny and pruney that it was almost drinking like a sweet wine.

Tried 6mos ago. Began 1916, Juan Gil Giménez, great-grandfather of present generation, built winery in heart of Jumilla. Blue label spent 18 months in new oak (wine formally known as 18 mos representing time in bottle, now “Blue Label.” Monastrell, Cab Sauv & Syrah blend (60/30/10), low yield, aromas of red berry and toasty oak. Palate shows flavors of dark berry fruits, espresso, cacao and hints of sweet spice. Big dusty tannins, well integrated with oak, lingering, well balanced. Aged well, still going!