BODEGAS ALEJANDRO | Arbui | 2020
monastrell

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Today we are are going to review a very rare, single-varietal monastrell wine that comes from the Alicante wine region situated on the Mediterranean Coast of Spain – Arbui 2020 by Bodegas Alejandro. Monastrell (also known as mataro in Australia or mourvèdre in southern France) is an indigenous spanish red grape variety that makes very bold, smoky and deeply colored red wines. It is a thick-skinned grape variety that ripens very late into the season. Monastrell is also drought-tolerant, thus making it an perfect grape for warmer climates such as south-eastern Spain. Legend says that the seafaring phoenicians brought it over to the Iberian Peninsula as early as 500 BC. Monastrell is the ‘M‘ in the Rhône‘s famous GSM blends and is one of the major blending grapes in the renown Châteauneuf du Pape wines, along with grenache and syrah. In some regions, such as Bandol (France) and Jumilla (Spain), monastrell-based wines can have a pronounced gamey flavor, which might be wrongly attributed to a wine fault called reduction. Because of this, most of the mourvèdre/monastrell wines will benefit from a bit of aeration. In order to soften the tannins and add extra complexity both on the palate and to the aromatic profile, this wine has been aged for 15 months in french oak barriques. That said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
colour: deep & opaque ruby color
clarity: hazy & noble purple shades

//Olfactory
intensity: pronounced & oaky
fruit character: overripe

On the first nose, the wine unfolds with an overripe fruit character, that takes center stage, offering an indulgent bouquet of dehydrated black fruits with nuanced oaky undertones. Blackberries, black cherries and black plums mingle gracefully, creating a luscious foreground that is both expressive and extracted. The subtle dance of spicy notes adds a refined touch, introducing whispers of sweet spice and dried herbs that seamlessly weave through the dark fruit medley. This is a wine that is vinified in a distinctive new world style, where the overripe fruit and nuanced oaky notes dominates over the wine’s aromatic profile.

//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: medium | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: seedy-hot

On the palate, this wine delivers a robust and intense experience, showcasing an overripe fruit character with pronounced notes of black fruits, spice and oak. The mouthfeel is marked by a crisp acidity that adds a refreshing liveliness, complemented by firm and seedy tannins that contributes to a gripping texture. The overwhelming touch of alcoholic warmth is enhancing the wine’s overall body by providing a heady and muscular feeling. The seedy-hot aftertaste lingers, leaving a bold impression, creating a firm and grippy tasting experience, showcasing strength and intensity – this wine is all about power.

//Verdict
maturity: developing | drink now age for another 3 to 5 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential

All in all, this is a firm and extracted red wine, with a grippy and somewhat angular profile that imparts a bit of roughness to the overall tasting experience. The wine is undeniably nuanced, showcasing layers of overripe fruit, spice, oak, and subtle hints of dried herbs that contribute to its complexity. However, the individually expressive elements, lack the harmony and finesse that would elevate this wine to a world-class level. The firm tannins and angular structure give it an intense, extracted character, but the interplay between these components doesn’t seamlessly integrate, leaving the wine a bit disjointed. In its current state, this is an expressive wine that demands attention – one that would benefit from additional aging to allow its elements to meld and form a more cohesive balance, or dare we hope, some finesse.

//Scoring
BODEGAS ALEJANDRO | Arbui | 2020
variety: monastrell
country: Spain
region: Alicante
rating: 93.4
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This is definitely a fine wine of Spain and, with a total of 93.4 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.

Pairing: Judging by the wine’s firm and grippy nature, along with its expressive overripe fruit character and nuanced notes of spice and oak, we would recommend to pair it with a smoked beef ribs. The firm tannins in the wine will harmonize with the hearty texture of the ribs, creating a robust and satisfying mouthfeel, while the overripe black fruit character will complement the smoky essence of the ribs. In the same key, the nuanced spicy and oaky hints in the wine will add layers of complexity to each bite of those smoky ribs. The wine’s angular and somewhat rough nature will cut through the richness of the meat’s fat and texture, providing a delightful contrast. This pairing celebrates the wine’s expressive nature and enhances the symphony of flavors that unfolds with each sip and bite. Enjoy!

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© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation.