{"product_id":"tarima-monastrell","title":"Tarima Monastrell","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTarima Monastrell\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: D.O. Alicante, Spain  |  6 Months French Oak  |  Winery: Bodegas Volver\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eBodegas 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Tarima\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eServe 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 \u003cstrong\u003eKalimotxo\u003c\/strong\u003e (red wine and cola) works surprisingly well here because the wine's natural acidity and tannin stand up to the sweetness. In a \u003cstrong\u003eclassic red Sangria\u003c\/strong\u003e, Tarima's ripe berry character and spice carry through citrus and brandy without getting lost. For a \u003cstrong\u003eTinto de Verano\u003c\/strong\u003e, the wine's fruit-forward personality and mineral backbone shine against lemon soda.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eIntroducing a Monastrell-curious drinker to the grape's full potential\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eWeeknight dinners that call for a serious wine without a serious price tag\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a Spanish wine flight alongside Garnacha and Tempranillo\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eGifting to someone who appreciates high-scoring, value-driven reds\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Tarima Monastrell taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Tarima compare to Honoro Vera Monastrell?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Tarima Monastrell good for sipping neat?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Tarima Monastrell made?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Tarima Monastrell?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Tarima Monastrell come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e Tarima Monastrell is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Tarima Monastrell worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Tarima?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhat 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bodegas Volver","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47393932542121,"sku":"42519","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/products\/tarima-monastrell","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}