Los Frailes Monastrell 2025

Los Frailes Monastrell 2025 comes from Casa Los Frailes, one of Spain's oldest wineries, where the Velázquez family have made wine for over four centuries in the Vall dels Alforins, southwest of Valencia. This is the fresh, early-drinking face of Monastrell, a grape better known for dense, oak-aged reds. The vineyards sit at altitude on limestone soils and are farmed biodynamically, and the cool nights that follow warm days keep acidity and lift the aromatics. Rather than barrel, the wine spends about five months in the estate's old stone lagares and amphorae, neutral vessels that hold the bright primary fruit and add gentle texture without wood flavour. The result keeps Monastrell's character but in a lighter, more vivid register. It pours a deep red with violet tints. The nose is led by raspberry and red cherry with a savoury note of dried herbs and crushed pepper. The palate is medium bodied and juicy, with fresh red fruit, soft tannins and an earthy, herbal finish. Serve at 14 to 16 degrees, lightly chilled if you like. It suits charcuterie, roast pork, poultry and tomato-based dishes.