90 / A

Tasted by Mike Supple - 21 Jul 2008

Medium ruby core with a light pink rim. Aromas of fresh, juicy raspberries and cherries with sweet tea highlights, surrounded by toasty spices and a hint of wet earth minerality. Juicy entry into the mouth; big ripe raspberries and black cherries are underscored by dark chocolate and black licorice candy. Fairly low acidity and very smooth body from front to back. Cocoa and hints of smoke linger in the finish. Drink over the next 1 - 2 years.

This is a big Spanish wine for not a lot of money; this 100% Monastrell is made in stainless steel tanks to preserve the freshness of the fruit. There’s also a lot of great spicy and smoky characteristics that come from the soil where the grapes are grown. This wine is big and juicy and is great before a meal or with ham, pork or beef dishes. You can recognize the bottle in a shop by the giant “M5″ in florescent green and blue colors. Don’t look for the winery name, as it just says “v.s.l.” in tiny letters. [Monastrell is the same grape as Mourvedre which is common in southern France. The French ones are often darker in fruit - more plum and blackberry than strawberry and raspberry - and earthier while the Spanish ones, like this, often have more red fruit flavors and spices.]

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