Spain’s Viña Elena is run by the fabulous Elena Pacheco with the unwavering support of her mother, sisters and children. This is a formula that pays off … today this winery is widely acknowledged to be one of the best in Spain.
Even if Monastrell sounds unfamiliar, you may well know it better by its French name – Mourvédre. This sun-loving red grape grows with enthusiasm all around the Mediterranean, but has found a true spiritual home in the balmy climate of south-eastern Spain.
This stunning, gold medal winning red wine made from old bush vines has met with universal acclaim for its complexity and power. Expect lots of bright, youthful fruit, from blackcurrant to red cherries and fresh plums, a touch of pepper and violets too, and some fine, mouth-coating tannins to dry the palate after all the ripe fruit.
The Details:
Grape: Monastrell, Shiraz, Garnacha
Country: Spain
Region: Jumilla
Abv: 14%
Style: Medium-full, berry flavours, velvety, juicy
The Producer:
Widely considered to be one of the best wineries in Jumilla, Viña Elena is very much a family affair with Elena Pacheco at the helm supported ably by her mother, sisters and children.
Viña Elena sits directly inland from the Costa Blanca and that venerable holiday destination, Benidorm. Safe to say, it is hot in this south east corner of Spain and Elena is fascinated by Monastrell and how she can create ever more elegant and delicate incarnations of it, despite the intensity of the sun.
From their 17 hectares of organically cultivated vines set within the semi-arid, hilly landscape, Elena experiments with the differing soil types to see how Monastrell will react and how she can express the personality of the grape. The differing terroir, organic practices and the lack of oak influence all goes to create fascinating wines of greater elegance, fruit and delicacy than the heat of this sun worshippers' land would have you expect.
