Juan Gil Yellow Label Organic Monastrell

The Gil family have been producers in Jumilla since the early 20th century but took a major step forward when Miguel Gil, great-grandson of the company's founder, built a new bodega in time for the 2003 vintage. Situated on the slopes of the Peñarrubia mountain, the highest part of Jumilla with poor stony soils noted for its richly flavoured, concentrated Monastrell, the bodega owns over 750 hectares of vineyards (mainly bush vines, unirrigated and of very low yield, of indigenous clones from their own nursery) and has access to further fruit from 30 to 70 year old vines. Bodegas Juan Gil is dedicated to producing powerful yet approachable and modern wines, mainly based on Monastrell, which is grown on 85% of the vineyard - other varieties grown are Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Petit Verdot.

Grapes come from 40 year old bush vines. Vineyards are 700 metres above sea level to the north east of Jumilla, on sandy, chalky, rocky soil. The grapes were hand-harvested. Fermented in stainless steel. Aged in French and American oak for around 4 months.

The nose has rich plum and bramble characters, with delicate vanilla spice and cedar. The palate has layers of ripe fruit, blackcurrant, blackberry, spicy plum and cherry, and fine tannins balanced by bright acidity.