Tarima Hill Monastrell

If you haven't yet picked up a bottle or two of this Spanish Monastrell (Mourvèdre) from the Alicante region of southern Spain, it is not too late as there are a few bottles left in select LCBOs in Toronto. It was awarded a 92 from Wine Spectator and was chosen as one of the top 100 wine values of 2020 for good reason. It is bold, and rich with ripe plush fruit and just enough earthy notes to give it complexity and keep it interesting. An acidic backbone makes it lively and well-balanced.

Bodegas Volver owns about 185 hectares in Alicante with some of its vines ungrafted. The vines range in age from 40 to 75 years old. The vines used in Tarima Hill are planted in the Vaso system, in an all-natural process with no irrigation. The micro-climate is predominately Continental with some Mediterranean influence.

At $23.95, this wine offers incredible value from a region not often represented in the LCBO. It is drinking beautifully now but if you manage to find two bottles, put one away as it can easily keep for at least another five years. Find it in Vintages in the LCBO.