Esencia de Monte 2005

Tasting Notes: The 2005 Esencia de Monte is 100% Monastell from organically farmed 50-year-old vines in the up-and-coming region of Yecla. It also spent 2 months on the lees in stainless steel. This saturated purple wine coats the glass. It boasts a gorgeous bouquet of blackberry, tar, and licorice. This slightly rustic wine has layers of sweet fruit, ripe tannins, and considerable length in its hedonistic personality. In a perfect world, I’d give this exceptional value another 1-2 years of bottle age but it’s awfully good now. It would pair well with beef, lamb, or baby goat.
—Jay Miller, Wine Advocate

Ruby-red. Highly perfumed dark berry aromas are lifted by an energetic floral overlay. Tightly wound flavors of bitter red and dark fruits are given focus and verve by minerals and cracked pepper. Fresh and juicy on the finish, which gains sweetness with aeration. Needs a little time.
—Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar