Juan Gil Monastrell Dulce 2016

Juan Gil is a family estate in the D.O. Jumilla in Murcia, eastern Spain, with three generations of work behind the Monastrell that defines the region. This is the house's sweet red, made from the same star variety grown in a hot, dry Mediterranean climate where long sun hours and a wide diurnal range push the fruit to high ripeness while keeping its acidity. The vines sit on poor limestone and sandy soils that drain freely and naturally limit yields, concentrating the berries. The grapes are left to overripen so sugar builds, then the wine is made sweet by halting fermentation to keep natural residual sugar before ageing in barrel, where slow oxygen exchange softens the tannins and layers in vanilla and spice. It is certified vegan, with no animal derived fining agents used. The colour is deep, dense purple. The nose shows ripe plum, dried fig and black cherry over honey and cocoa. The palate is rich and warming, the sweetness checked by Monastrell's firm tannin and a peppery savoury edge so it stays balanced. Serve lightly chilled at around 14C in a small glass. It suits chocolate desserts and hard cheese.