The brand Juan Gil is one of several vineyards and wineries owned by Viñas Familia Gil spread across ten different Spanish Denominaciónes.
Juan Gil is named after Juan Gil Jiménez, who produced wine in Jumilla, Murcia, in the 1910s. The Denominación de Origen [DOP] Jumilla is centred around the municipality of Jumilla, but also incorporates parts of Albacete province in Castilla–La Mancha.
A sunny (3,000 hours per year) and arid landscape of wide valleys and plateaus permeated by mountains, squeezed be- tween Mediterranean and the high central plateau of Castile-La Mancha, with vineyards at altitude between 400 and 800m possessing scarce and erratic, rain pattern. Summers are hot, 40°C is not unusual, and winters are below freezing, with a risk of frost even in April.
This harsh environment, together with impoverished soil, is too tough even for phylloxera (the pest that all but decimated the wine industry in Europe in the 19th century) to survive. This silver lining meant that Monastrell, the dominant grape variety of Jumilla, thrives here, ungrafted; i.e., in its original roots.
Monastrell, known as Mourvedre in France and Mataro in Australia, is probably of Spanish origin, but made famous in the Rhone, France, as a prominent ingredient in the GSM (Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre) blend of the iconic Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and the dominant grape of highly prized Bandol.
Monastrell has small, thick- skin berries, producing deeply coloured, tannic wines with high alcohol content, intense fruit flavours of mainly black- berries and gamey or meaty flavours, black pepper, cocoa, and tobacco.
Juan Gil produces six Monastrell and Monastrell-based labels, which are ranked amongst the best expressions of this grape variety. The Yellow Label comes from vineyards planted at 700m.
An intense cherry-red that at first suggests density and power, yet the vivid red rim alludes to freshness. Indeed, the complex nose exudes fresh, ripe cherries & blackberries and red & violet flowers.
The palate is powerful but balanced and lively with persistent finish. It is amazing that this full-bodied wine is made with very short period of aging in wood.
Pair with good quality jamon serrano, medium-cured cheese, grilled mushrooms, pulses, and grilled, red meats.
Bruja points: 91-93.
Excellent value for money. €6.55 at Alcampo.
(Feature/Wine: Juan Gil Etiqueta Amarilla)