2006 Juan Gil Jumilla

This wonderful Spanish red has done nothing but impress me vintage after vintage. The Jumilla region of southern Spain is located in the province of Murcia along with other notable appellations, such as Yecla. Monastrell, known as Mourvedre in most parts of the world, is the primary grape grown and produced in Jumilla and the Jual Gil is an excellent introduction into both the region and the grape. The grapes are selected from 40-year-old vines, which are grown in chalky soil with arid conditions that lead to very low yielding vines. After a 25 day sur lie maceration the grapes are pressed and aged for 12 months in French oak. This all leads to a wine that has deep rich color, intense aromas of smoked wood, earth and blueberries, with a complex, supple and long palate. This wine will continue to evolve over the next 5 years, drink from 2010 to 2015.
$16/750ml

Rating: 9.1 out of 10