Spain — wine

Jumilla

A high-altitude inland DO in the Murcia-Castilla-La Mancha border area of southeastern Spain, home to some of Europe's oldest ungrafted Monastrell (Mourvèdre) vines. The extreme continental climate — scorching summers, harsh winters, minimal rainfall — and chalk-limestone soils produce Monastrell of extraordinary concentration, dark fruit, and robust structure. Phylloxera never successfully attacked the sandy soils here, so many vineyards have pre-phylloxera ungrafted vines stretching back 80–150 years. The best wines show compelling depth and authenticity at remarkable value.

Year Rating Notes
2023 Outstanding Monastrell year in Jumilla; bush vine concentration and complexity at their finest
2022 Good vintage; powerful, concentrated Monastrell with the characteristic Jumilla dusty mineral character
2021 Fine balance in extreme climate; elegant Monastrell of remarkable freshness given Jumilla conditions
2020 Outstanding year — the combination of heat and cold nights produced Monastrell of remarkable concentration and freshness.
2019 Reliable vintage with good natural character from old ungrafted vines.
2018 Hot, dry year particularly suited to Monastrell's thick skin. Dense, powerful wines with excellent structure.
2017 Good vintage across the DO. Old-vine wines of excellent depth.
2016 One of Jumilla's best recent vintages — concentrated, complex wines with impressive longevity.