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Mission Codename: Señor Mataro

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Send Agent Red to Spain, in search of a budget-minded red blend, for fans of our International Sunday Selections.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Mataro

Wine Subject: 2009 Monastrell-Syrah Blend

Winemaker:

Backgrounder: Late to budbreak and late to ripen, the Spanish varietal, Monastrell (also know as Mourvèdre), is used primarily as a blending component in GSM blends (Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre), this distinct varietal makes an interesting primary component in today’s Spanish Monastrell-Syrah. Today’s superior wine is a delicious treat that is full of character and intriguing, delicious, evolving flavors.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Dark garnet hues, from center to edge. At the core of the wine, even darker garnet, but still see-through. After spinning, tall columns of skinny legs take a steady march down the glass wall.

Smell – Blackberry jam with mix stone fruit compote lead the way. As the wine opens up (keep swirling and be rewarded!), it reveals aromas of dried meats, bramble, sweet dark brown spice and a hint of savory dried herbs.

Feel – Cool and light at the tip of the tongue. Then, very slowly, the wine becomes grippy and plush as a softly spreading dryness reaches to the far corners of the palate. Integrated tannins and a medium acidity frame the fruit on the palate.

Taste – Dark and richly layered, with complex flavors of sweet dark stewed stone fruit, overripe blackberry, black cherry juice, dark strawberry and blackberry jam. As the wine opens up, it reveals savory spice and hints of leather, dried black flowers and black pepper.

Finish – Ultra long and packed with flavors that begin with dark mixed fruit and then trend toward earthy and savory.

Conclusion – This wine is such a delicious treat that is long on flavor, big aromatics – and value, making it an easy choice for well under $20. Monastrell is the Spanish name for Mourvedre. Widely planted in Spain, this varietal is used as a 100% varietal wine, or as a blending component. Today’s wine is a delicious and balanced blend of Monastrell with Syrah. This wine is fruit-driven, but it is not a jammy fruit bomb of a wine. Rather, while this wine does have a sweet side, this sweetness is tempered by earthy components, spice and distinctive savory aromas and flavors. With enough acidity to make this wine a great companion for most foods. Our tasting panel paired this wine with a Thai-inspired cucumber and skirt steak salad. The combination was divine!