Bodegas Juan Gil Juan Gil 2005
- RP
Winemaker Notes
Founded in 1916 by Juan Gil Jiménez, this is the Gil Family's first winery, created with the goal of showcasing the quality of the native Monastrell grape. Over 104 years, the winery has been consolidated and improved, applying technological advancements to the traditional knowledge passed down through the years.
The appellation of Jumilla, located about 60 miles inland from the southern mediterranean coast in Murcia, is known for Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre), with over 80% of vineyards planted with it. The majority of our vineyards average in age between 40 and 100 years with very low yields (aprox. 2,200 lb/ac). The continental climate is extreme here: summers are dry and hot with intense sun and winter is long and cold. The vineyards are between 2,000 and 2,800 feet above sea level, planted on sandy and rocky limestone soils that are very poor in nutrients, but have a great capacity to hold what little rain does fall. Monastrell is a thick-skin grape that thrives in the harsh conditions of the climate and terrain, leading to wines with great structure and intense color and aromas.
The unique combination of altitude, soil and climate makes Organic farming quite typical in Jumilla. All of the the Gil Family's estate Monastrell vineyards are dry-farmed without the use of pesticides or herbicides, the winery is entirely solar powered and “Zero-Waste” (by product is composted, water recycled). Organic Farming Certification of the vineyards starting with 2018 vintage of Silver Label.
Famous for the robust and earthy, black-fruit dominated, Monastrell (known as Mourvedre in France), Jumilla is an arid and hot region in southeastern Spain. Its vine yields tend to be torturously low but this can create wines of exceptional intensity and flavor. Quality combined with accessible price points give the region great recognition on international markets far and wide.
The reds from Jumilla are heady and spicy, packed with fruit and show aromas of dried licorice and herbs. If you like Syrah, Grenache or Pinot noir, a red wine from Jumilla would be a perfect next choice!
Full of ripe fruit, and robust, earthy goodness, Mourvèdre is actually of Spanish provenance, where it still goes by the name Monastrell or Mataro. It is better associated however, with the Red Blends of the Rhône, namely Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Mourvèdre shines on its own in Bandol and is popular both as a single varietal wine in blends in the New World regions of Australia, California and Washington. Somm Secret—While Mourvèdre has been in California for many years, it didn’t gain momentum until the 1980s when a group of California winemakers inspired by the wines of the Rhône Valley finally began to renew a focus on it.