Tarima Monastrell 2024

Tarima is made by Bodegas Volver in Pinoso, a town in Alicante with a long wine tradition, founded by oenologist Rafael Canizares and importer Jorge Ordonez. The Monastrell comes from bush vines trained in the traditional goblet shape and worked without machinery, planted on calcareous soils at around 650 metres of altitude. That chalky soil and the height temper the heat of this Mediterranean corner, with cool nights that hold acidity and slow the ripening of a late variety that needs warmth to come good. Monastrell ripens to deep colour and firm structure, and the altitude keeps the fruit fresh rather than baked. The wine spends six months in American oak barrels, a short ageing that rounds the tannins and adds vanilla, coconut and a coffee edge while keeping the ripe fruit front and centre. The colour is deep, almost opaque cherry. The nose shows cherry and blackberry, coffee, a balsamic, herbal note and a touch of minerality. The palate is full bodied and warming, with firm but ripe tannin and a spiced, savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. It suits grilled meat, stews and spiced dishes.