PalateMatch

Today I am tasting the 2008 Toscar Monastrell by Salvador Proveda from Alicante, Spain. This wine is made from primarily, if not 100%, Mourvèdre (Monastrell) grape variety and was under $9. I have previously tasted the 2007 Toscar Monastrell over multiple days and will do the same with this vintage.

Day One

The wine has just been uncorked.

Color

In the glass this wine is a dark purple color. Very pretty.

Aroma

Initially I get leather and oak components on the nose of this wine. There is also a very nice black currant aroma combined with a hint of mint. Finally I detect a little earthiness from it which reminds me of dark, rich compost soil.

Flavor

The attack is very vegetal. There is a distinctive broccoli flavor to it. In the mid-palate cherry cola starts to take over with an emphasis on the cola. Sweet tannins show up on the finish. It exhibits a very long finish. I am still getting the cherry on the finish. This is definitely an Old World style of wine and will pair really well with rich dishes particularly those grilled meats.

Rating

This is a interesting vintage for this wine. I like it and rate it 87 points.

Day Two

The wine has been recorked and and then opened again after 24 hours.

Aroma

The nose of this wine has opened up and the dark fruit is now dominating it. Rich, almost Creme de Cassis like aromas of black currants and blackberries combine with just a hint of sulfur. It is really a good nose today.

Flavor

On the attack the blackberry flavor is very prominent and transitions to black cherry in the mid-palate. The tannins are more bitter on the finish than yesterday and there is some black pepper components as well. Overall it is a lot more of a New World style wine than the first day. None of the vegetable flavors are present.

Rating

I like this wine, but it has definitely become a simpler, more New World leaning style. I rate it 88 points.

Summary

I enjoyed this wine on both days and found it really educational to watch it go from being Old World on day one to New World on day two. I recommend you try the same experiment on your own and share your findings here. It would be fascinating to determine if this wine consistently shows this pattern or if it is partly my palate changing. It also might show a strong relation to how this wine will age. Agreed?

Today we are tasting the 2008 Wrongo Dongo Monastrell by Bodegas Juan Gil from the Jumilla region of Spain. This bottle which has one of the more attractive labels out there, was acquired for under $8. It is likely this is made of 100% Monastrell (Mourvedre) though the winemaker’s site doesn’t indicate it nor does the label. Anyone know?

Color

In the glass this wine is ruby red.

Aroma

On the nose, there is some red currant and black currant. There is also a clear dirt note. It is earthy and some cedar is showing as well. Very nice aroma overall. After a while the earthiness tends to blow off leaving fruit and oak components.

Flavor

There is black cherry on the attack and mid-palate. Some nice dry tannins on the finish along with lingering sour cherries and a hint of dark chocolate. This will pair well with pasta and chili and chocolate.

Rating

This is a decent wine. It is simple but very approachable. It is a plus that it is not overly fruity and sweet. We rate it 88 points.

Have you had a good Mourvedre lately?

Today I am tasting the 2007 Toscar Monastrell by Salvador Proveda from Alicante, Spain. This wine is primarily, if not 100%, Mourvèdre (Monastrell) varietal and was under $9. For some interesting background on Mourvedre, check out Mourvedre: the next big red? by Dr. Vino.

Day One

Just popped the cork.

Color

Nice dark purple in the glass. No problem with color on this one.

Aroma

Wow! This wine explodes out of the bottle and even more after you pour it in the glass. Dark fruit including black currant and black cherry on the nose. There is also a stinky nose that starts to blow off after a little breathing time. It is along the lines of the “wet dog” aroma. I am also get a hint of clove on the nose. Really fascinating aromatics.

Flavor

Some blackberry on the attack with dark cherry on the mid-palate. The finish is quite long with black currant and fig. There is also a lot of sour cherry lingering. This wine has an interesting mouth feel with tannins that thoroughly coat your palate with a chalkiness to them. This is a wine with lots of flavors, but not a fruit bomb. Nor is it high in sugar. Thus it will pair well with with a lot of food. Just don’t have it with anything too light or too spicy.

Rating

I’m enjoying the originality of this wine quite a bit and recommend you try it as a way to expand your palate. I rate it 90 points.

Day Two

It has now been opened for 24 hours. Just put the cork back in it the previous day.

Aroma

This wine is still showing well on the nose. Dark fruits dominate with blackberry and black currant being prominent. It is very jammy and has some oak too. Really nice.

Flavor

On the attack there is black plum and fig. The mid-palate has a lot of black cherries and it finishes with some black pepper and good dry tannins. Surprisingly the chalk flavors that I got yesterday are now gone. This is a good wine to pair with smoked meats and rich cheese.

Rating

I like this wine. It isn’t as intense as yesterday. It has softened around the edges and has more fruit character to it. But it is still not too sweet. I rate it 89 points.

Summary

This is a good bargain Monastrell and I recommend you look for it. Have you had a Monastrell lately? If so, what flavors and aromas did you discover that surprised you?