Tasting- Monte Aman

Name:  Monte Aman

Variety:   100% Tempranillo

Region:   Arlanza

Country:   Spain

Year:   2009

Price:   $5.95

Shop Critic:  Fermentation of selected grapes in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature.  Aging in American oak casks for 5 months followed by 3 months in the bottle before being released in the market.  Inky ruby.  Ripe cherry and plum on the nose.  Smooth and fleshy, with deep dark fruit flavors complicated by bitter chocolate and anise.  A spicy quality adds lift and focus to the weighty fruit.  Offers an appealing mix power and energy and drinks very well right now. 

My Review:  You could tell this wine was not really filtered.  It had bits of skins floating in it and was ruby red dark, almost opaque.  The nose was well-rounded and smooth with lemony-broccoli qualities.  The taste was assertively bitter and reminded me of prune juice.  This wine wasn't bad.  Decent for $6!

I drank this wine on its own with no food pairings.