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Jumilla wines dominate blind-tastings
Wines from Jumilla in southern Spain bagged an impressive haul of medals in db‘s global Masters competitions. Here’s why the region’s wines are hitting the spot.
For all the hype about ‘cool-climate’ wines, Jumilla stands out for producing the exact opposite. Ferocious sun, desert-like conditions and limestone plots that look more like pebble beaches than vineyards miraculously combine to produce wines of exceptional personality and freshness.
Located around an hour’s drive from Alicante, the historic wine-producing region of Jumilla receives just 300mm of rainfall annually, and for this reason most of its vineyards (79%) are dry-farmed.
The region’s flagship grape variety is Monastrell, which accounts for about 80% of total plantings in Jumilla, with Syrah, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon also permitted under DO rules.
A small quantity of white varieties is also planted, including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Airén and Malvasia.
Due to the altitudinous nature of the region with the highest sites climbing to a dizzying 1,000m, fragrant aromas and delicate flavours of mountain herbs including thyme, rosemary and fennel are often present in Jumilla wines, which lean towards medium acidity.
Jumilla wines are proving a favourite with consumers, and one of the reasons they have been so successful in db’s global Masters competitions is due to the incredible quality-to-price ratio that they offer.
Top-end expressions of Jumilla wine are often significantly cheaper than those from Rioja and Ribera del Duero, especially in the on-trade, where diners can pick up a bottle of Jumilla fine wine for a stitch of the price.
You can read more about Jumilla here in our exclusive and detailed report on the region.
And for Patrick Schmitt MW’s tasting notes for Jumilla’s gold-winning wines, see below.
From the Autumn Masters 2022:
ALCENO INEDITA 03, 2016 – Gold
Very clean and fresh on the nose with a medium-light intensity. Showing plum, cherry and blackberry notes. Dry with a low acidity, warming alcohol and a full body, this lovely wine has dry tannins and a mid-length finish.
JUAN GIL ROSE, 2021 – Gold
Floral and yeasty, with notes of cream and strawberries jumping from the glass, this is an intense and charming wine with rich layers of ripe fruits and crunchy berries. Great texture and intensity, and a long, complex finish. The oak provides a lovely texture and complexity.
SENORIO DE TOBARRA, 2021 – Gold
This red has a juicy raisiny core with a ripe raspberry edge. Ample body supports supple acidity, giving a well balanced, off-dry wine with impressive concentration.
PATA NEGRA APASIONADO, 2021 – Gold
Polished blackberry and boysenberry notes with a vibrant fruit core, this fulsome, just off-dry wine has vibrant acidity, impressive balance and a beautifully fresh finish.
From the Organic & Vegan Masters 2022:
LUZON COLECCIÓN MONASTRELL, 2021 – Gold
Bright burnished juicy plum skin with an inky raisin edge, this single-varietal Monastrell has ample vibrant acidity, moderate fleshy tannins and good flavour concentration, with a rich, warm finish.
For the full list of medal-winning wines from Jumilla producers in db’s master competitions see below.
The Global Syrah Masters 2022
| Winery | Name of Wine | Region | Country | Vintage | Medal |
| Unoaked Syrah | |||||
| £10-£15 | |||||
| BODEGAS Y VINEDOS ASENSIO CARCELEN | 100X100 SYRAH | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Silver |
| BODEGAS VIÑA ELENA | PACHECO SYRAH | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Silver |
| ESENCIA WINES | INFILTRADO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Silver |
| £15-£20 | |||||
| BODEGAS BSI | NUMUN SYRAH | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Silver |
| Oaked Syrah | |||||
| Under £10 | |||||
| EGO BODEGAS | MARIONETTE | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Bronze |
| BODEGAS ONTALBA | DOMINIO DE ONTUR SYRAH MONASTRELL GARNACHA | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Bronze |
| ALCENO PREMIUM 50 BARRICAS | BODEGAS ALCENO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Silver |
| £10-£15 | |||||
| BODEGAS LUZON | ORIGEN DE LUZON SYRAH | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Bronze |
| BODEGAS SAN DIONISIO | SF SYRAH ROBLE | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2019 | Silver |
The Global Rose Masters 2022
| Winery | Name of Wine | Region | Country | Vintage | Medal |
| Still unoaked dry rosé | |||||
| Under £10 | |||||
| BODEGAS ALCEÑO | ALCEÑO ROSADO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Bronze |
| BODEGAS ONTALBA | DOMINIO DE ONTUR ROSADO SYRAH | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Bronze |
| BODEGAS LUZÓN | LUZÓN COLECCIÓN ROSADO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Bronze |
| BODEGAS CARCHELO | CARCHELO ROSE | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Bronze |
| BODEGAS BSI | GENUS ROSE | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Bronze |
| £10-£15 | |||||
| BODEGAS SILVANO GARCÍA | SILVANO GARCÍA PINK | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Bronze |
| BODEGA TORRECASTILLO | TORRECASTILLO ROSADO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Bronze |
| BODEGAS BLEDA | CASTILLO DE JUMILLA ROSADO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Bronze |
| BODEGAS OLIVARES | OLIVARES ROSADO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Silver |
| BODEGAS PIO DEL RAMO S.L | BETOLA THE CAT WINE ROSE | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Silver |
| Still Oaked dry rosé | |||||
| £15-£20 | |||||
| JUAN GIL ROSADO | BODEGAS JUAN GIL | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Silver |
The Global Organic & Vegan Masters 2022
| Winery | Name of Wine | Region | Country | Vintage | Medal |
| Still White Unoaked | |||||
| Under £10 | |||||
| BODEGAS ONTALBA | ONTALBA SAUVIGNON BLANC ECOLÓGICO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Silver |
| Still White Oaked | |||||
| £15-£20 | |||||
| BODEGAS SAN DIONISIO, S. COOP | MAINETES VERDEJO ECOLOGICO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Bronze |
| Still Red Unoaked | |||||
| Under £10 | |||||
| BODEGAS LUZON | LUZON COLECCION MONASTRELL | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Gold |
| BODEGAS CARCHELO | EYA MONASTRELL | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Silver |
| BODEGAS PIO DEL RAMO | BETOLA THE CAT WINE RED | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Bronze |
| £10-£15 | |||||
| BODEGAS ASENSIO CARCELÉN | 100X100 SYRAH | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Silver |
| BODEGAS BLEDA | CASTILLO DE JUMILLA ORGANIC | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Silver |
| BODEGAS JUAN GIL | HONORO VERA ORGANIC MONASTRELL | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Silver |
| BODEGAS SAN DIONISIO, S. COOP | SF MONASTRELL ECOLÓGICO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Silver |
| BODEGAS ONTALBA | ONTALBA MONASTRELL SYRAH ECOLOGICO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Bronze |
| BODEGAS VIÑA ELENA | PACHECO MONASTRELL ORGANIC | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Bronze |
| BODEGAS BSI | NUMUN SYRAH | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Bronze |
| EGO BODEGAS | TALENTO BY EGO ECOLOGICO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Bronze |
| Still Red Oaked | |||||
| Under £10 | |||||
| BODEGAS CARCHELO | CARCHELO 2020 VIÑEDOS DE PUEBLO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Bronze |
| BODEGAS 1890 | PATA NEGRA APASIONADO ORGANIC | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Bronze |
| £10-£15 | |||||
| EGO BODEGAS | TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE DOUBLE BY FINCA BACARA | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Silver |
| BODEGAS BSI | NUMUN SELECCION MONASTRELL | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Silver |
| BODEGAS ALCENO | ROMEO ORGANIC | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Silver |
| VINOS SIERRA NORTE | EQUILIBRIO 9 | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2019 | Silver |
| VINOS SIERRA NORTE | EQUILIBRIO 4 | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Bronze |
| BODEGAS ALCENO | ALCEÑO ORGANIC | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Bronze |
| BODEGAS SILVANO GARCIA | VINAHONDA ORGANIC PLUS | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2019 | Bronze |
| £15-£20 | |||||
| BODEGAS PIO DEL RAMO | PIO CRIANZA | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2019 | Silver |
| IZQUIERDO VIÑEDOS Y BODEGAS, S.L. | BODEGAS PIO DEL RAMO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2019 | Bronze |
The DB Autumn Blind Tasting 2022
| Winery | Name of Wine | Region | Country | Vintage | Medal |
| Still White Unoaked | |||||
| Under £20-£30 | |||||
| DOBLEDEPEREZ MICROBODEGA | EN CONTACTO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Silver |
| Still White Oaked | |||||
| £15-£20 | |||||
| BODEGAS PIO DEL RAMO | CHARDONNAY BARRICA | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Silver |
| Still Rose Oaked | |||||
| £15-£20 | |||||
| GIL FAMILY ESTATES | JUAN GIL ROSE | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Gold |
| Still Red Unoaked | |||||
| Under £10 | |||||
| ONTALBA SOC. COOP. DE CLM | ONTALBA MONASTRELL SYRAH ECOLOGICO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Gold |
| BODEGA N.S. ENCARNACION | SENORIO DE TOBARRA | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Gold |
| BODEGAS SALZILLO | HISPALIS TINTO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Silver |
| BODEGAS ARLOREN | SPIRIT OF MONASTRELL | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Silver |
| £10-£15 | |||||
| BODEGAS BLEDA | CASTILLO DE JUMILLA MONASTRELL TEMPRANILLO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Silver |
| BODEGAS LUZON | LUZÓN COLECCIÓN MONASTRELL | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Silver |
| BODEGA TORRECASTILLO | TORRECASTILLO GARNACHA TINTORERA | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Silver |
| BODEGAS VIÑA ELENA | BRUMA DEL ESTRECHO PARAJE MARIN | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Bronze |
| £15-£20 | |||||
| PARAJES DEL VALLE BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS | PARAJES DEL VALLE MONASTRELL ECOLÓGICO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Bronze |
| Still Red Oaked | |||||
| Under £10 | |||||
| BODEGAS 1890 | PATA NEGRA APASIONADO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Gold |
| EL LAGAR DE LAS PUNTILLAS | LAS PUNTILLAS JOVENCICO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2019 | Silver |
| BODEGAS BSI | SABATACHA CRIANZA | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2019 | Silver |
| BODEGAS 1890 | MAYORAL RESERVADO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Bronze |
| BODEGA N.S. ENCARNACION | RIBERA ALTA DEL MUNDO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Bronze |
| £10-£15 | |||||
| BODEGAS VINA ELENA | PACHECO BARRICA | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2019 | Silver |
| BODEGAS OLIVARES | OLIVARES TINTO | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Silver |
| EL LAGAR DE LAS PUNTILLAS | LAS PUNTILLAS BONACHON | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2019 | Silver |
| BODEGAS SILVANO GARCIA | SILVANO GARCIA 4 MESES | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2019 | Silver |
| BODEGAS SALZILLO | ZENIZATE MONASTRELL | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2019 | Silver |
| EGO BODEGAS | GORU GOLD | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2018 | Silver |
| FINCA BACARA | TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE 6 M | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2021 | Silver |
| BODEGAS TORRECASTILLO | TORRECASTILLO EL TOBAR | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2019 | Bronze |
| BODEGAS BSI | GEMINA SELECCION MONASTRELL | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2019 | Bronze |
| £15-£20 | |||||
| BODEGAS ALCENO | ALCENO SELECCION | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2018 | Bronze |
| GIL FAMILY ESTATES | JUAN GIL SILVER LABEL | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Bronze |
| £20-£30 | |||||
| BODEGAS SAN DIONISIO, S. COOP | MAINETES CRIANZA 12 MESES | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2018 | Silver |
| BODEGAS NIDO DE CUCO | CUCO DEL ARDAL | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Silver |
| BODEGAS LUZON | ALTOS DE LUZON | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Silver |
| BODEGAS BLEDA | CASTILLO DE JUMILLA CRIANZA | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2019 | Silver |
| PARAJES DEL VALLE BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS | TERRAJE | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2020 | Bronze |
| BODEGAS ASENSIO CARCELÉN | PURA SANGRE | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2014 | Bronze |
| £30-£50 | |||||
| BODEGAS ALCENO | ALCENO INEDITA 03 | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2016 | Gold |
| BODEGAS PIO DEL RAMO | ALONT | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2018 | Silver |
| BODEGAS CARCHELO | MURI VETERES | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2017 | Silver |
| Still Fortified | |||||
| £20-£30 | |||||
| BODEGAS SILVANO GARCIA | SILVANO GARCIA DULCE MONASTRELL | DOP JUMILLA | Spain | 2019 | Bronze |
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