Tarima Hill Monastrell

Tarima Hill Monastrell is a full-bodied, 100% Monastrell (Mourvèdre) red wine from Alicante, Spain, bottled at 15% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2015 vintage was ranked #17 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2017 with a 92-point score — a remarkable achievement for a wine at this price tier. Sourced from old, unirrigated vines planted between 1935 and 1970, it consistently delivers concentration and complexity that punches well above its weight class.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15%  |  Origin: Alicante, Valencia, Spain  |  100% Monastrell  |  Winery: Bodegas Volver

Production & Heritage

Bodegas Volver, led by renowned winemaker Rafael Cañizares, sources Tarima Hill's fruit from multiple vineyard parcels across the Alicante DO, where bush vines range from 50 to nearly 90 years old. These dry-farmed, unirrigated vines produce extremely low yields — roughly 1.5 kilograms of fruit per plant — resulting in grapes of exceptional concentration. After meticulous sorting at the winery, the fruit is fermented in stainless steel open-top fermenters using indigenous yeast, then aged for 14 months in French oak barrels. This combination of ancient vine material and careful cellar work distinguishes Tarima Hill from most entry-level Monastrell bottlings.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Inky violet in the glass, the bouquet opens with brambly dark berries — blueberry, blackberry — before revealing layers of olive tapenade, balsamic, mocha, and dried spice. A floral undercurrent adds lift to the otherwise brooding nose.

Taste: The entry is rich and immediately fruit-forward, with ripe black plum, blueberry pie, and pomegranate dominating the initial impression. At mid-palate, saddle leather, prune, and warm baking spice emerge alongside a fleshy, full body. High acidity and medium-plus grippy tannins assert themselves after the wine opens, balancing out the super-ripe fruit with welcome structure.

Finish: Long and persistent, with lingering notes of cherry, caramel, and eucalyptus that fade slowly into a dry, spice-dusted close. The tannin grip extends the finish without harshness, rewarding patience.

How to Drink Tarima Hill

Tarima Hill shows best with 20 to 30 minutes of air, either decanted or swirled generously in a large-bowled glass; serving slightly below room temperature (around 60–64°F) tames the 15% alcohol and lets the acidity shine. A Kalimotxo may seem unconventional, but this wine's robust tannins and dark fruit hold up against cola's sweetness for a refreshing Spanish street cocktail. In a classic Sangria, Tarima Hill's concentrated berry core and spice create a deeply flavored base that doesn't get lost among citrus and brandy. For a winter warmer, use it in Mulled Wine (Vino Caliente), where its dense body and balsamic-spice character meld beautifully with cinnamon, star anise, and orange peel.

Best For

• Impressing a wine-savvy friend who appreciates old-vine depth at an accessible price
• Pairing with a weekend barbecue featuring grilled lamb or smoked ribs
• Building a cellar of high-scoring Spanish reds without a premium outlay
• Bringing a standout bottle to a dinner party where bold reds are welcome

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tarima Hill taste like? Tarima Hill delivers concentrated ripe black plum, blueberry, and pomegranate alongside saddle leather, warm spice, and mocha, framed by grippy tannins and bright acidity that keep the rich fruit in check.

How does Tarima Hill compare to Artadi El Sequé? Both are premium Monastrell wines from the Alicante DO known for concentrated, clean black-fruit flavors from old, unirrigated vines. El Sequé typically commands a higher price and sees more new oak influence, while Tarima Hill emphasizes raw fruit intensity and value-driven accessibility.

Is Tarima Hill good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its complex layers of dark fruit, leather, and spice reward neat sipping, especially after 20–30 minutes of aeration in a decanter or wide glass to let the tannins soften and the aromatics expand.

Where is Tarima Hill made? Tarima Hill is produced by Bodegas Volver in the Alicante Denominación de Origen, within the Valencia region of southeastern Spain. The grapes come from multiple vineyard parcels where dry-farmed bush vines were planted between 1935 and 1970.

What foods pair well with Tarima Hill? Grilled lamb chops benefit from the wine's tannin and spice; slow-braised short ribs mirror its richness and dark fruit; aged Manchego cheese echoes its Spanish roots and complements the leather notes; chorizo or other cured Spanish meats play off the balsamic and peppery undertones; and dark-chocolate desserts harmonize with the mocha and berry finish.

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

Is Tarima Hill worth the price? Tarima Hill positions as an exceptional value expression within the old-vine Monastrell category — a 92-point Wine Spectator score and a Top 100 ranking for a wine at its price tier make it one of the strongest quality-to-cost propositions in Spanish red wine.

Why Tarima Hill?

Few wines at this price tier can claim a spot on Wine Spectator's Top 100 list, yet Tarima Hill earned the #17 position in 2017 — a testament to the extraordinary raw material from its half-century-old dry-farmed vines. The winemaking is deliberately restrained: indigenous yeast fermentation and moderate French oak aging let the vineyard's voice dominate rather than cellar technique. Subsequent vintages have continued to earn strong critical attention, with the 2020 scoring 91 points from Wine Enthusiast. For anyone seeking concentrated, terroir-driven Monastrell without the premium pricing of boutique Alicante bottlings, Tarima Hill remains a benchmark.