EAST COAST PALATE

This bottle delivers a well made 100% Monastrell  (a.k.a. Mourvèdre) that is soft and elegant.  I picked this up a few days ago a Circle Wine in Chevy Chase for $18.  Really I had to get a wine from the Murcía region of Spain in honor of my friend Do's birthday.  This just so happens to be one of her favorites.
This wine's color is a rich, regal hue of purple.  The nose is dominated by earthy and stoney scents.  When I sniffed it first it reminded me of being in a cellar or a used book store.  The berry and anise aromas it has are subtle and quite inviting, too.
In the mouth this wine is fresh.  The minerality picked up on the nose definitely carries over into the flavor profile.  There's a hint of dark chocolate and berry, and plenty of acidity.  I've tried some Monastrells or Mourvèdres with more body and tannin (especially some of the French wines from the Bandol region), but I enjoy this bottle a lot.  For my palate it finds itself right on the B+/A- threshold.  If you're a fan of Côtes du Rhône wines, I think you would like this wine.