two recent wines
Merum Monastrell 2006. Jumilla. : Monastrell 85% Syrah 10% Tempranillo 5%, 90 points from Wine Advocate (2005). Offers up earth, forest floor, and black cherry aromas and flavors along with very good concentration, good purity, and decent acidity. The finish is layered and long. Benefits from half hour or so of aeration.
The Monastrell grape is red and very sweet. It produces wines with a deep colour and considerable alcoholic content. It is mainly found in Murcia (52%), Alicante, Albacete and Valencia.
89 points from Wine Spectator. A creamy texture carries orange, guava, almond and light vanilla flavors in this polished white, which has lively acidity and wears its weight with grace.
100% Verdejo, one of the best white varieties in Spain. It makes very aromatic, glyceric, soft wines with body. It is plentiful in Valladolid (69%), Segovia and Ávila. It is considered a main variety of Rueda DO.