Photos courtesy of Vivino, Creencia, Bodegas Luzón, Ego Bodegas
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Jumilla, Spain, is a small but mighty region for exceptional wines. These bottles are perfect for summer grilling as the hot and dry growing season allows grapes to develop intense flavor. But yet, this Spanish region still flies under the radar.
Monastrell is the region’s star red grape. Its deep red fruit flavors and firm tannins make it perfect for pairing with fattier dishes, such as burgers and steaks. Monastrell also benefits from adding Cabernet Sauvignon or Tempranillo, which often adds green pepper notes that pair well with grilled vegetables.
Here are eight of our favorite bottles.
Bodegas Carchelo 2018 Roble (Jumilla); $15. Find on Wine-Searcher. Deep garnet to the eye, this wine has a nose of blackberry, raspberry and a touch of green bell pepper… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Bodegas Luzón 2018 Por Tí (Jumilla); $45. Find on Wine-Searcher. Inky garnet to the eye, this wine has aromas of black currant, coffee bean and cocoa powder… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Creencia 2017 Con Actitud Dry Farmed Monastrell (Jumilla); $40. Find on Wine-Searcher. This dark ruby wine offers a savory nose of summer farm stand, salted almond and dark plum… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Ego Bodegas 2018 Infinito (Jumilla); $75. Find on Wine-Searcher. Deep red-violet in the glass, this wine offers aromas of dark plum, raspberry and salted almond… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Finca Bacara 2018 Tabá Monastrell (Jumilla); $18. Find on Total Wine & More. This inky purple wine features aromas of dark plum and leather. Flavors of blackberry… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Juan Gil 2019 Blue Label Red (Jumilla); $35. Buy on Vivino. Deep ruby to the eye, this wine has a bouquet of black currant and mocha. It is smooth at first sip… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Parajes Del Valle 2020 Monastrell (Jumilla); $15. Find on Wine-Searcher. Dark ruby in the glass, this wine offers a bouquet of black currant, blackberry and almond… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Sierra Norte 2020 Porta Regia 5 Months Monastrell (Jumilla); $17. Find at Wine-Searcher. This wine offers a bouquet of black currant and black plum with hints of clove and flint. There are bright flavors… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
