Sierra Salinas 2012 MO – Monastrell

35 year old Monastrell, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, and Garnacha Tintarero, with a hint of Syrah. Dark purple, with strong spice notes sprinkled on top of dark cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, and tobacco. Chewy and dense with blue fruit and cigar box.  Mo is an excellent choice for a BBQ, party, or just a good steak.  At ~$10, it’s a steal!

 Sierra Salinas 2010 Puerto Salinas

70% Monastrell, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Garnacha Tintarero, 5% Petite Verdot This is a stronger, darker, sexier version of Monastrell, with a richer profile and denser fruit.  It’s inky and chewy, with chocolate covered blackberries, brown sugar, and a surprising kick of acid on the finish that Monastrell is so well known for, after feef jerky and black pepper tease your palate.   If you want to impress your friends at your next dinner party, pull this ~$15 beauty out with the main course instead of a Napa Cab!

Sierra Salinas 2010 Mira

60% Monastrell blended with Cabernet Sauvingon and Garnacha Tintarero A chew plum with more weight than Mo or Puerto Salinas, it has a nutty note that makes it very well balanced and pleasant in the mouth.    

Sierra Salinas 2009 Salinas 1237

The 1237 is the flagship blend of Sierra Salinas, so named for the vineyard that lies at 1237 meters above sea level. 45 Garnacha Tintarero, 33% Petite Verdot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Monastrell This unique wine spends it’s fermentation in open barriques, and is aged for 21 months in the same barrel.  Bursting with red fruit, Spanish strawberries, and blood oranges, the finish has toffee, anise, menthol and eucalyptus.  This is truly a special bottle and while $95 is a splurge, this is worth it!