A year-in and year-out top red wine value, Altos de la Hoya Monastrell is Spain’s answer to rustic, spicy, smooth Cotes du Rhone. It always overdelivers, and the 2023 is no exception.
Decanter rated it 91 points and described it perfectly: “Earthy and savoury with dark berries, cigar box and charred meat on the nose. The palate is fresh and juicy, with inky fruit, fine tannins and a well-integrated, complex structure.”
If you plan on firing up the grill anytime soon, this is the perfect red to have on hand. Whether it's lamb, burgers, or sausages, this complements smoky, savory flavors beautifully. And this isn’t just some random value wine. It’s made by a family with a long history of excellence in Spain’s Jumilla region.
Many of you already know and love the Bodegas Olivares Tinto, a wine we’ve stocked for years. Altos de la Hoya is essentially that wine’s “big brother,” crafted from the Olivares family’s oldest vines. Made from 92% Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre) and 8% Garnacha grown on ancient, dry-farmed, ungrafted vines, some planted back in 1872, this delivers the depth, concentration, and character that only truly old vines can provide.
Those old vines naturally produce tiny yields of intensely concentrated fruit, and the wine sees a bit of aging in older barrels and large foudres. The finished wine is rich yet fresh, packed with dark fruits, violet, peppery spice, and smoky mineral notes. Plush and fine-grained on the palate, it’s equally delicious with grilled meats or all by itself.
If you want a Spanish red that delivers maximum quality-to-price ratio, this is the wine for you. Pick up a few bottles, fire up the grill, and let the good times begin!
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville
