We're putting the finishing touches on a book about Spanish wine, so over the last 12 months I've sampled quite a few different Spanish bottles from around the country. Yecla is an interesting area in that it is among Spain's smallest wine territories (home to just 11 wineries), yet it's rather easy to find across the U.S. The main reason for this is that 85% of Yecla's wine is exported.
This bottle is a perfect representation of the varietals found in wines from Yecla. It is comprised of 70% Monastrell, 20% Syrah and 10% Grenache Tintorera, which is the same as Alicante Bouschet and is a cross of Petit Bouschet and Grenache.
This wine is vibrant with an expressive nose of clove, earth and smoke. Black and blue fruit, blueberry pie, slight spice with a good amount of acidity; a little oak and smoke on the finish. Dry and fleshy in the mouth. We enjoyed this wine with some pork tacos which worked well, but this is one of those versatile wines that you can pair with just about anything.
Parker went 93 points on this wine and raved about it's value. I agree it's a strong value, but 93 is pushing it for me. I'll go 89, plus one for extreme value since the wine is only $9.59 at Costco. I plan on stocking up on these bottles. This is a fun wine, that's a little different, that keeps you guessing while you're enjoying it. I like that.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 90 points
Costco item number: 1104416
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA
Alc. 14%
Bob Simmons says
This is back at Cumberland!
neal ekengren says
not liking this at all. the blend is certainly different but it never feels right fresh or aired. For the life of me I can't imagine how anyone could rate this 93. so many more cheap spanish wines that exceed this. i have tasted hundreds during spain visits.