2007 Toscar Monastrell

This is sourced from the Toscar winery in Alicante in Spain's South-East and comes from the Alicante appellation. There's heaps of concentrated ripe plummy flavours, restrained brooding aromatics, smooth texture and tongue coating tannins which are noticeable without being intrusive or aggressive. It's nicely savoury with some interesting complexities and easy drinking, with food.

There's also a 2007 Toscar Tempranillo (also $14.95 and also from Alicante) that is labelled Crianza and so has spent one year in oak. It's youthful, soft, round and pleasantly lifted with lightly floral perfumes, red cherry and redcurrant flavours, silky smooth, fleshy texture, medium body and neatly balanced tannins.

Both represent very good value. I'd rate the Monastrell as Bloody Good for its extra depth of flavour.

Rating:

2007 Toscar Monastrell                        Bloody Good

2007 Toscar Tempranillo                      Good

Cost: $ 14.95

Limited availability in all Australian states.

Ce Soir marcus@cesoirwine.com, The website is not fully operational yet.

The wines are available from

VIC

Armadale Cellars, Armadale

Winestar - www.winestar.com.au

Barrique Wine Store, Healesville

Randalls - Newtown, Alber Park and Hawthorn

NSW

Annandale Cellars

Five Way Cellars, Paddington

North Sydney Cellars

 Reviewed: 25 September 2009