Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Focused aromas of black raspberry and cherry cola spice open on the nose along with hints of black tea and hay. The juicy palate sings with ripe fruit and youthful tannins that carry the finish. Pair with short rib, brisket and roasted portobello mushroom.
Best Buy -
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2023 Bodega Luzón Altos de Luzón Monastrell Jumilla with Korean dwaeji bulgogi (spicy marinated pork) hits a beautiful stride, where the wine’s ripe raspberry fruit and warm spice wrap around the sweet-heat of gochujang, its gentle texture smoothing the dish’s intensity while those closing tannins catch the caramelized edges of the pork, bringing a savory snap to the finish—vivid, flavorful, and just a little addictive. (Tasted: April 3, 2026, San Francisco, CA)
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.
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!
