Bodegas Juan Gil Blue Label 2020
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Wine Enthusiast
Dark garnet to the eye, this wine offers blackberry, butterscotch and sage leaf aromas. Polished tannins provide a backdrop to blackberry, black cherry, dark chocolate, anisette and nutmeg flavors. A refreshing vein of acidity plies the palate from first sip to the lingering finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2020 Juan Gil (blue label) is heady, ripe and generously oaked. It hit the scale at 15.5% alcohol and matured in French and American oak barrels for 18 months. It has abundant tannins and a dry finish. It's powerful and concentrated, in need of time in bottle or powerful food. It has a very defined style, very good but for the fans of that style.
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2021-
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Robert
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Robert
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Founded in 1916 by Juan Gil Jiménez, this is the Gil Family's first winery, created with the goal of showcasing the quality of the native Monastrell grape. Over 104 years, the winery has been consolidated and improved, applying technological advancements to the traditional knowledge passed down through the years.
The appellation of Jumilla, located about 60 miles inland from the southern mediterranean coast in Murcia, is known for Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre), with over 80% of vineyards planted with it. The majority of our vineyards average in age between 40 and 100 years with very low yields (aprox. 2,200 lb/ac). The continental climate is extreme here: summers are dry and hot with intense sun and winter is long and cold. The vineyards are between 2,000 and 2,800 feet above sea level, planted on sandy and rocky limestone soils that are very poor in nutrients, but have a great capacity to hold what little rain does fall. Monastrell is a thick-skin grape that thrives in the harsh conditions of the climate and terrain, leading to wines with great structure and intense color and aromas.
The unique combination of altitude, soil and climate makes Organic farming quite typical in Jumilla. All of the the Gil Family's estate Monastrell vineyards are dry-farmed without the use of pesticides or herbicides, the winery is entirely solar powered and “Zero-Waste” (by product is composted, water recycled). Organic Farming Certification of the vineyards starting with 2018 vintage of Silver Label.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
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!