This curious wine is from Gil Family Estates.
A little bacon fat lurks behind the dark berry, pepper, and herbal notes against a background of dusty earth. An intriguing nose for an inexpensive wine but the palate disappoints. The introduction of dense, juicy berry has good intensity but it quickly turns bitter, a distraction that carries through the peppery, acid-driven finish. Very slim, reticent tannins on this lively, medium bodied wine but that bitterness is just too prominent.
That said, this is more interesting and vivacious than most comparably priced wines. For wine lovers with a European sensibility who are not put off by some bitterness, this is a good value.
70% Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet) and 30% Monestrell, with 4 months in French oak. Almansa is a lesser-known wine region in Southeastern Spain with a dry, hot climate
Score: 86
Price: $7
Alc: 14.5%
Melissa Etheridge is bitter, bitter bitter
Exploring the Philosophy of Food and Wine 