Bodegas Vina Elena Familia Pacheco Organic Monastrell 2020  £9.95

BODEGAS VINA ELENA FAMILIA PACHECO ORGANIC MONASTRELL

Widely considered to be one of the best wineries in Jumilla, Viña Elena is very much a family affair with Elena Pacheco at the helm supported ably by her mother, sisters and children. Viña Elena sits directly inland from the Costa Blanca and that venerable holiday destination, Benidorm. Safe to say, it is hot in this south east corner of Spain and Elena is fascinated by Monastrell and how she can create ever more elegant and delicate incarnations of it, despite the intensity of the sun. From their 17 hectares of organically cultivated vines set within the semi-arid, hilly landscape, Elena experiments with the differing soil types to see how Monastrell will react and how she can express the personality of the grape. The differing terroir, organic practices and the lack of oak influence all goes to create fascinating wines of greater elegance, fruit and delicacy than the heat of this sun worshippers' land would have you expect.

30 hectares of Monastrell (41 years old), 3 hectares of Shiraz (9 years old wire trained), and 2.5 hectares of Garnacha Tintorera (14 years old). 600 metres above sea level, set within the semi-arid limestone soil, hilly landscape of northern Murcia in the south-east of Spain. Monastrell grown without irrigation. Vineyards are cultivated and certificated as organic.

Fermented in stainless steel tank, maceration of 7/8 days with a temperature controlled to 22ºC.

This is an exceptional little wine for the money. Bags of blackberry, plums and cherry. The palate is big and juicy with tonnes of ripe fruit flavours and a little licorice. A smooth and lengthy finish caps of what is a spectacular bottle of wine for the money. Delicious with tapas, roast meats and cheese