EGOBODEGAS | Talento by Ego | 2020
monastrell | syrah

We will be evaluating wines in no particular order on no particular schedule. Just stay tuned and you will never miss our reviews. If the wine is tasted more than once, the rating table will be updated so as to reflect all the new impressions and observations.

Today we are also going to review a quite intriguing wine blend from the Spain’s not so famous Jumilla region, situated in the south-east of Spain, on the Mediterranean Coast – Talento by Ego 2020 by Egobodegas. Jumilla is one of Spain’s rising stars, offering delightfully vibrant wines that are capable to reveal their true potential from their early days as young wines. In the last two decades, Jumilla has built its reputation on three grape varieties: monastrell (also known as mataro in Australia, or mourvèdre in southern France), garnacha (spanish name for grenache) and bobal. The result is a new generation of elegant wines in which the monastrell grape variety is showing remarkable results in the hands of skilled winemakers. This particular wine is a blend of just two grape varieties: monastrell and syrah, where monastrell forms the wine’s main body and structure, while syrah builds a more refined mid-palate and adds black fruit flavors. Of course, monastrell is the star variety of this blend, it has adapted so well to Jumilla‘s natural conditions, that this small region is now considered as the second home of this variety, although its origins are most probably in the Levante area, where most of monastrell plantings are concentrated nowadays. In order to gain a bit of extra complexity, this wine has been aged for several weeks in old oak barrels, so that it would not change the wine’s aromatic profile. That said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results.
_________________________________________________________________________
Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
colour: medium-pale ruby color
clarity: hazy-pale ruby shades

//Olfactory
intensity: rich & savory
fruit character: ripe & overripe

On the first nose, this wine unveils a captivating interplay of ripe and overripe red fruits in the foreground. The aroma unfolds with delightful notes of redcurrants, cranberries, and wolfberries. These notes are complemented by savory undertones that add complexity to the bouquet, evoking images of brown olives, sun-drenched tomatoes and hints of dried herbs. The background introduces earthy elements, with subtle hints of clay, loam and damp soil, creating a sense of connection to the vineyard’s terroir. This well-balanced ensemble of aromas presents a harmonious marriage between the vibrant fruit expression and the grounded earthiness, resulting in a wine that offers both freshness and depth in its olfactory profile.

//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: med(+) | aftertaste: seedy-crisp

On the palate, this wine unfolds a captivating symphony of ripe and overripe fruit character, showcasing the lusciousness of red fruits harmoniously intertwined with earthy and savory undertones. The exuberant acidity takes center stage, imparting a lively and refreshing character to the wine’s overall profile. The seedy tannins contribute to a firm and structured backbone, adding a layer of complexity and extra depth. A notable touch of alcoholic warmth further enhances the wine’s body, providing a firm and warming sensation to the aftertaste, which lingers on the palate, leaving a lasting and pleasantly-seedy finish.

//Verdict
maturity: developing | drink now or within the next 2 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential

All in all, this is a firm and seedy wine blend, that feels slightly bitter and quite rustic, yet one that manages to find a semblance of balance. The interplay of ripe red fruits, along with earthy and savory undertones, reflects the wine’s individuality, offering a glimpse into its unique personality. However, in its current state, the palate lacks finesse and harmony, leaving room for further refinement. The wine showcases a certain charm with its own rustic character, but its overall profile suggests a need for additional aging to integrate its elements more cohesively. Despite its current limitations, this wine holds the potential to evolve into a more refined and harmonious expression with patience and time.

//Scoring
EGOBODEGAS | Talento by Ego | 2020
variety: monastrell | syrah
country: Spain
region: Jumilla
rating: 92.7
_________________________________________________________________________

This is definitely a fine wine of Spain and, with a total of 92.7 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 savory and slightly rustic flavor profile, we would recommend to pair it with a slow-cooked lamb ragù served over pappardelle pasta. The firm and seedy structure of the wine will complement the tender and succulent lamb, while the bitter notes in the wine will resonate with the savory richness of the ragù. In the same key, the earthy and savory undertones in the wine, will harmonize with the hearty flavors of the dish, creating a culinary symphony that celebrates both the wine’s personality and the robustness of the lamb ragù. This pairing promises to elevate the dining experience, offering a delightful interplay of flavors that showcase the wine’s terroir-driven character. Cheers!

_________________________________________________________________________
© 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.