Bodegas Luzón Verde 2013, Jumilla, Spain

Tasting Note: As the monastrell grape (aka, mourvèdre) varietal increasingly finds its way to American wine shop shelves, this is a bottle to try to experience what is so lovable about the grape that in many ways is reminiscent of Argentinean malbec.

Ruby in color, this aromatic wine has a warm nose of ripe blackberry and red plum laced with cedar and hints of vanilla.

On the palate angular black and red fruit are joined by red cherry.

Cedar rides under the fruit profile until the 30% point of the taste where it falls into equilibrium with the fruit finishing with a raisiny after-taste.

The wine is medium-plus in body and tannin and shows mid-palate complexity complimented by a pleasurable, grippy, grainy texture.

Bottle Note: 100% Monastrell made with organically grown grapes.