Bodegas Luzon Verde 2008
Winemaker Notes
The grapes are sourced from the family-owned estate of 216 acres. The estate is surrounded by small mountains, 60 miles from the Mediterranean Sea. The vineyards are at the altitude of 1,500-2,100 ft. The soils are a combination of sand and chalk covered with chalky gravel and stones. Jumilla has a continental climate due to the high altitude of the region, despite the proximity of the Mediterranean Sea; there are large fluctuations in temperature from day to night during the growing season and cold winters. Rainfall is scant.
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.