Tarima Monastrell

Tarima Monastrell is a 100% Monastrell red wine from D.O. Alicante, Spain, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a 750ml format. Scoring 91 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and 92 from James Suckling (2016 vintage), this bottling from Bodegas Volver punches well above its weight class, drawing richness from high-altitude vineyards and complexity from French oak aging.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: D.O. Alicante, Spain  |  6 Months French Oak  |  Winery: Bodegas Volver

Production & Heritage

Bodegas Volver was launched in 2009 in Alicante as a collaboration between importer Jorge Ordóñez and winemaker Rafael Cañizares. The Tarima grapes come from multiple vineyards situated between the Sierras of Salinas, Umbria, and La Sima at 600 to 750 metres elevation — all dry farmed and head trained, a traditional approach that concentrates flavor in low-yielding vines. After hand-sorting, fermentation proceeds with indigenous yeast in stainless steel tanks, followed by malolactic fermentation in tank and six months of aging in second-vintage French oak Bordelaise and Burgundy barrels — the same barrels previously used for Tarima Hill, the winery's premium bottling, which impart seasoned oak character without overwhelming the fruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep garnet in the glass, with an immediate rush of ripe blackberry and plum. Underneath the dark fruit sits a layer of cocoa powder and subtle floral notes that gain complexity as the wine opens.

Taste: The entry is silky and fruit-forward — blueberry and blackberry jam coat the palate, followed by red currant and baking spice at mid-palate. A pronounced stony minerality emerges toward the peak, almost chalky, as if reflecting the limestone soils of the vineyard sites. The natural acidity is bright and lifts the wine's considerable weight, keeping it fresh despite the 14.5% alcohol.

Finish: The finish is dry and generous, with fine-grained tannins carrying dark fruit, licorice, and a lingering mineral streak. Length is impressive, trailing off with subtle herbal and chocolate undertones.

How to Drink Tarima

Serve at 60–65°F. Tarima drinks beautifully on its own or with a short decant of 20–30 minutes to let the oak and fruit integrate fully. Its structure and dark fruit profile also make it a strong cocktail and sangria base. A Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) works surprisingly well here because the wine's natural acidity and tannin stand up to the sweetness. In a classic red Sangria, Tarima's ripe berry character and spice carry through citrus and brandy without getting lost. For a Tinto de Verano, the wine's fruit-forward personality and mineral backbone shine against lemon soda.

Best For

• Introducing a Monastrell-curious drinker to the grape's full potential
• Weeknight dinners that call for a serious wine without a serious price tag
• Building a Spanish wine flight alongside Garnacha and Tempranillo
• Gifting to someone who appreciates high-scoring, value-driven reds

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tarima Monastrell taste like? Tarima Monastrell delivers ripe blackberry and blueberry jam layered with baking spice, cocoa, and a distinctive chalky minerality from its limestone-rich, high-altitude vineyards. The tannins are fine and silky rather than aggressive, and the finish is dry with notable length.

How does Tarima compare to Honoro Vera Monastrell? Both wines are 100% Monastrell from southern Spain and sit in the same value tier — James Suckling scored Tarima at 92 (2016) and Honoro Vera at 91 (2018). Tarima tends toward greater minerality and French oak influence from its six-month barrel aging, while Honoro Vera generally leans more overtly fruit-forward.

Is Tarima Monastrell good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its silky tannins, balanced acidity, and layered dark fruit make it an excellent stand-alone pour, especially with a brief decant or served slightly below room temperature.

Where is Tarima Monastrell made? Tarima is produced by Bodegas Volver in the D.O. Alicante appellation of southeastern Spain, from vineyards at 600–750 metres elevation in the mountain ranges of Salinas, Umbria, and La Sima.

What foods pair well with Tarima Monastrell? Grilled lamb chops benefit from the wine's tannin and spice. Slow-braised short ribs mirror its dark fruit richness. Aged Manchego cheese echoes the mineral and savory notes. Chorizo and lentil stew matches the wine's earthy depth. Dark chocolate desserts complement the cocoa and berry finish.

What sizes does Tarima Monastrell come in? Tarima Monastrell is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Tarima Monastrell worth the price? Tarima positions as an entry-level expression that consistently earns scores in the high 80s to low 90s from major critics — a rare achievement at its value tier, making it one of the strongest quality-to-price propositions in Spanish red wine.

Why Tarima?

What separates Tarima from most wines at its price point is a production detail borrowed from higher-end winemaking: aging in second-vintage French oak barrels that previously held Tarima Hill, Bodegas Volver's premium cuvée. This gives the wine seasoned oak complexity — vanilla, spice, structural polish — without the raw tannin of new barrels or the cost that comes with them. Combined with dry-farmed, head-trained vines growing at 600–750 metres on limestone soils, the result is a Monastrell with unusual depth and minerality. With 91 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and 92 from James Suckling on record, Tarima has earned critical recognition that most wines in its tier simply cannot match.