2006 Juan Gil Jumilla Monastrell...brawny, sexy, juicy wine.

Big red wine alert! Spicy, ripe blackberry preserves with a dense core of blueberry. Notes of tar, wood, vanilla and star anise on the nose. On the palate, tannins surround your palate, building a cocoon of earth, ripe berries, and soft oak nuances that flow seamlessly into an elegant finish. This is an intense wine with a lot to offer, it's best decanted for an hour or two, to let everything integrate properly. You can literally feel all the flavor elements embrace your entire tongue, like water poured over a flat board, gently washing over each side equally. Right as it ends, while the wine elegantly tapers off into nothingness, you'll find soft notes of dark chocolate and graphite. I always find this an interesting expression of the Monastrell/Mourvedre grape.

Suffice it to say I'm impressed so far, but I figured you'd get that from the previous paragraph right? Now when you factor in the price, between $11-14 you will get a sure winner. Absolutely an A in my somewhat un-scientific grading system. I've enjoyed the Juan Gil wines, from all price ranges, for the past six years and am still really pleased with this one as a daily drinker. It's got a superb quality:price (QPR) and is pretty easy to find in a good wine store. On the back of the bottle I see it's imported by The Henry Wine group out here in California. My recommendation: If you see this wine on the shelf, buy it. Enjoy it with big, bold foods. I'm already dreaming of pairing my next bottle with something off the grill, perhaps grilled, soy-marinated veggie/steak kebabs. We shall see!

Beau Carufel